{ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY Of
CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO
JV7
WILLIAM <i LA* if OH*
THE
COURT AND REIGN
OF
FRANCIS THE FIRST
KING OF FRANGE
DESIGNED BY LE GK-OS ScENGRAVED BY JOS. BROWN, AFTER THE PORTB-AIT BY TITIA1
THE
COURT AND REIGN
OF
FRANCIS THE FIRST
3&tng of jFrance
BY
JULIA PARDOE
AUTHOR OF 'LOUIS XIV.' 'THE CITY OF THE SULTAN,' ETC.
IN THREE VOLUMES
VOL. I
Printed by R. R. CLAKK, Edinburgh
TO
MY BELOVED FATHER
THE PROTECTOR OF MY INFANCY
THE GUIDE OF MY GIRLHOOD
AND
THE FRIEND OF MY RIPER YEARS
|JESE Volumes
ARE VERY AFFECTIONATELY
INSCRIBED
PREFACE
IN attempting a record of the Court and Reign of Francis I.
I did not for a moment seek to blind myself to the extreme
difficulty of the task which I was about to undertake.
The successor of Louis XII. has been so universally
quoted as the most chivalrous monarch who ever filled an
European throne, that those who are only superficially
acquainted with his history cannot fail to anticipate a suc-
cession of brilliant actions, generous self-sacrifices, refined
gallantries, and noble feats of arms. Time and truth have,
however, alike tended to place his character in a less ele-
vated point of view ; and the truth may well be said to
have been born of time, for it is only of late years that
any French historian has been permitted to allow that a
sovereign of France could err.
Who that is acquainted with the anecdote can have
forgotten the caution given by the Cardinal de Richelieu
to an honest and conscientious chronicler, whose zeal had
betrayed him into sundry animadversions on a crowned
head long laid in the royal mausoleum of St. Denis ?
" Sir," said the minister sternly to the scholar, whom he
had summoned to his presence, "you must revise your
work. You have been guilty of treason ; you have dared
to vilify a king."
" I have only recorded well-authenticated facts, your
eminence."
viii PREFACE
" Perhaps so ; but those facts were not your property.
The person and fame of a monarch are alike sacred."
" Monseigneur will permit me to remind him that Louis
XI. has been dead two centuries."
"And what of that, sir?" retorted the cardinal sharply.
" Understand that it is treason to discuss the actions of a
king who has only been dead two centuries."
Upon the principle here educed most of the ancient
French historians appear to have scrupulously acted ; and
thus it is only by a reference to the more confidential
records and correspondence of the period that a modern
writer can hope to arrive at a just estimate of the charac-
ter and motives of the sovereign whom he seeks to portray
" in his habit as he lived."
There can be little doubt that much of the prestige
which attaches to the name of Francis I. may be attributed
to this circumstance. To the great mass of readers, alike
French and English, he is necessarily known only through
the medium of the old and well-tutored chroniclers, or
rather, through the modern histories which have been
compiled exclusively upon their authority ; and thus,
thanks to the timid and time-serving policy of those
writers, the " divinity that doth hedge a king " has pro-
tected his renown throughout the lapse of centuries. For
this impunity Francis I. is consequently mainly indebted
to the scarcity of familiar chronicles during an age in
which, the whole of Europe being almost perpetually in a
state of warfare, few cared to register the mere domestic
events of the period. Fortunately, however, for the after-
labourers in the same vineyard, the love of Court gossip
was not altogether extinct, and thus some glimpses are
afforded of the man as well as of the monarch.
It was with the witty and accomplished Marguerite de
Valois, his sister, that the taste originated for perpetuating
PREFACE ix
by the pen the current of passing circumstances ; and it is
to her example that posterity is indebted for that courtly
cacoethes scribendi by which the annals of subsequent reigns
have been so greatly enriched.
In this paucity of authentic detail has consisted, as I
was aware that it must do, the great difficulty of my task ;
but, as I resolved not to insert a single incident into the
work for which I had not competent authority, the Court
scenes scattered through the following pages may all be
accepted as facts, and the reader will be enabled from
them to form his own estimate of the claim of Francis I.
to be considered as the chivalric monarch par excellence.
The glorious day of Marignano saw the rising, and that of
Pavia the setting of his fame as a soldier ; so true it is
that the prowess of the man was shamed by that of the
boy. The early and unregretted death of one of his
neglected queens, and the heart-broken endurance of the
other, contrasted with the unbounded influence of his first
favourite, and the insolent arrogance of his second, will
sufficiently demonstrate his character as a husband. His
open and illegal oppression of an over-taxed and suffering
people, to satisfy the cravings of an extortionate and licen-
tious Court, will suffice to disclose his value as a monarch ;
while the reckless indifference with which he falsified his
political pledges, abandoned his allies in their extremity
in order to further his own interests, and sacrificed the
welfare of his kingdom and the safety of his armies to his
own puerile vanity, will complete a picture by no means
calculated to elicit one regret that his reign was not pro-
longed.
Despite this drawback, however, the period was one of
great and absorbing interest. The fierce and continual
struggle for power between Francis and Charles V.; the
well-earned renown of the several generals on both sides ;
x PREFACE
the names of the Connetable Due de Bourbon, Bayard,
Pescara, Da Leyva, Doria, Gaston de Foix, Lautrec, and a
host of others equally brave ; the bright galaxy of beauty
which adorned the Court the fair and gentle Madame de
Chateaubriand, the haughty and voluptuous Duchesse
d'Etampes, the magnificent Diane de Poitiers, the mature,
but still attractive Louise de Savoie, the strong-minded
and intellectual Marguerite de Valois, and the beautiful
Catherine de' Medici, all combine to invest the age with
a charm and a romance totally independent of the personal
character of the monarch ; while the fact of its having
been the period of the mission of LUTHER, and the crown-
ing work of the REFORMATION, suffices of itself to render
it the greatest landmark on the whole highway of history.
Never, perhaps, did the reign of any European sove-
reign present so many and such varying phases. A con-
test for empire, a captive monarch, a female regency, and
a religious war ; the poisoned bowl and the burning pile
alike doing their work of death amid scenes of uncalculat-
ing splendour and unbridled dissipation ; the atrocities of
bigotry and intolerance, blent with the most unblushing
licentiousness and the most undisguised profligacy; such
are the materials offered to the student by the times of
Francis I.
Here, as was the case in a former work, I have com-
menced my volumes by a brief glance at the conclusion of
the previous reign ; and, although censured by one of my
critics upon that occasion for the introduction of retrospec-
tive matter, I have in this instance advisedly pursued the
same system, from a conviction that the book must fall
into the hands of many individuals who, from want of
time or opportunity, must necessarily be unacquainted with
the precise position of the French nation on the accession
of Francis I. To the historical student this preliminary
PREFACE xi
sketch will be, of course, supererogatory ; but as this is not
a period at which any author can feel justified in writing
only for a class, I believe that a succinct narrative of pre-
ceding events will tend to render the work more generally
acceptable ; and I have, consequently, not suffered myself
to be deterred from acting upon that conviction. The
scholar will therefore forgive me if, in seeking to augment
the gratification of the less learned reader, I have dwelt
for a time upon persons and events which, although living
and occurring before he ascended the French throne, were
destined to exert a powerful influence over the Court and
reign of Francis himself.
THE SHRUBBERY,
NORTHFLEET, KENT.
THE AUTHOR
of the following work, Julia S. H. Pardoe, was the
second daughter of Major Thomas Pardoe of the
Royal Waggon Train (the precursor of the Transport
Corps) an able officer, who, after serving with dis-
tinction and winning the confidence and affection of
the men he led in the Peninsular campaign and on
the field of Waterloo, retired from active service.
His family was said to be of Spanish extraction.
Miss Pardoe was born at Beverley, in Yorkshire,
in 1806, and at an early age manifested the literary
tastes and talents which afterwards distinguished her.
Her first work was a volume of Poems, dedicated to
her uncle, Captain William Pardoe of the Royal
Navy, published when she was only thirteen years
old and was followed in a few years by an historical
romance of the time of William the Conqueror,
called Lord Morcas of Hereward. Being recom-
mended, on account of consumptive symptoms, to
seek a warmer climate, Miss Pardoe spent fifteen
months abroad, and embodied her observations on
her return to England in Traits and Traditions of
Portugal (dedicated to H.R.H. Princess Augusta,
VOL. I 2
THE AUTHOR
who took a warm interest in the young authoress),
the first of her works to attract much notice. Written
in early youth and amidst the brilliant scenes it
described, it had the charm of freshness and en-
thusiasm, and it is not surprising that a second
edition was quickly called for.
In 1835 Julia Pardoe accompanied her father to
Constantinople, and although a frightful visitation of
cholera raged there during her visit, her sojourn in
the East appears to have more than realised her
most sanguine expectations. "When," she says,
" favoured by circumstances which seemed to shape
themselves to my wishes in a manner to make me
doubt whether the spells of fairyland were indeed
all broken, I was enabled to penetrate to the very
centre of Turkish society, and to domesticate myself
both with princes and peasants, I found that the
fallacies which had evaporated would have been but
a sorry exchange for the reality that remained, and I
gave the advantage to the fact over the anticipation." 1
Half a century ago a lady's narrative of Eastern
travel was much more novel and noticeable than it
would now be, and probably no English authoress
since Lady Mary Wortley Montagu had been so
intimately acquainted with Turkish life as Miss
Pardoe. Her City of the Sultan, Beauties of the
Bosphorus, and Romance of the Harem, accordingly
became deservedly popular, especially the two former,
which were profusely and beautifully illustrated ; and
1 New introduction to an edition of the Beatifies of the Bosphorus,
published about the time of the Crimean War.
THE AUTHOR
Miss Pardoe was induced in 1838 to publish a series
of letters describing the earlier part of her journey
to the East, under the title of The River and the
Desert: or, Recollections of the Rhine and the Char-
treuse. A tour through the Austrian empire with
her family enabled her to collect the materials for
The City of the Magyar: or, Himgary and its Insti-
tutions, issued in 1840, remarkable at that time for
its ample statistics and careful research, and eliciting
from one of her critics the acknowledgment that,
" without the sacrifice of truth or utility, she gave
to the world a work which possessed all the charm
and excitement of a romance." The same country
inspired her Hungarian Castle, preceded and followed
by nine or ten other novels popular in their day ; but
it was not until 1847 that Miss Pardoe produced the
first of those historical works on which her fame
principally rests. This was Louis the Fourteenth: or,
the Court of the Seventeenth Century, which, it has
been justly remarked, combines "the lively spirit of
a French biography with a well-defined picture of an
historical epoch." It was followed by The Court
and Reign of Francis the First, and The Life of
Marie de Medici, and a residence in France was
recorded in Pilgrimages in Paris.
Her health having suffered from long-continued
study and perseverance in literary work, Miss Pardoe
left London to reside with her parents in Kent, still
occasionally writing fiction, and contributing to maga- V
zines. Her industrious and successful literary career
was brought to a close in 1862, when, after suffering
THE AUTHOR
from insomnia, she died at Upper Montagu Street
on Wednesday 26th November. [The portrait
accompanying these lines was engraved by Samuel
Freeman, in 1849, from an original drawing by J.
Lilley.]
CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME
CHAPTER I
Accession of Francis I. Misgivings of Louis XII. Prudence of Louis XII.
His marriage with Jeanne de France His attachment to Anne de Bre-
tagne Betrothal of the dauphin, afterwards Charles VIII. His roman-
tic passion for Anne de Bretagne Love of Madame de Beaujeu for the
Due d'Orleans Accession of Charles VIII. Revolt of the Due d'Or-
leans His imprisonment Restored to liberty at the intercession of his
wife Charles refuses to marry Margaret of Austria Indignation of
the emperor Proposals of marriage from Charles VIII. to Anne de
Bretagne Reluctance of the young duchess She yields Her corona-
tion Death of Charles VIII. Anne promises her hand to Louis XII.
Marriage of Louis XII. to Jeanne de France annulled by Alexander VI.
Death of Jeanne de France Marriage of Louis XII. and Anne de Bre-
tagne Birth of Francis I. Comte d'Angouleme Jealousy of the Com-
tesse d'Angouleme and the queen Comtesse d'Angouleme exiled to
Amboise Marechal de Gie appointed governor to the young prince
Accomplishments of Francis Attachment of M. de Gie to Madame
d'Angouleme Arrival of the Court at Amboise Household of the
queen Her ostentation Conflicting politics Departure of the Court
Charles de Montpensier His passion for Marguerite de Valois Her
education Jealousy of Gauffier The Comte de Montpensier quarrels
with the prince Leaves Amboise M. de Vandenesse Intrigue of
Louise de Savoie M. de Vandenesse dismissed by M. de Gie Illness
of the king Anxiety of Anne de Bretagne The queen enters into a
treaty of marriage between her daughter and the Archduke Charles
Revenge of M. de Gie He seizes the queen's property at Namur
His trial His exile Treaty of Blois Mortification of Madame
d'Angouleme ......... Page i
CONTENTS
CHAPTER II
IS04-7
Marguerite de Valois asked in marriage by Henry VII. Refusal of Louis
XII. Marguerite married to the Due d'Alencpn Her reluctance
Motives of the king Her writings Relapse of Louis XII. Death of
Isabella of Spain Marriage of Germaine de Foix with Ferdinand of
Castile The States-General assembled Francis betrothed to the
Princesse Claude Death of the Archduke Philip Jeanne la Folle The
Pope determines on war Character of Julius II. Louis sends an army
to Bologna Genoa revolts Wanton cruelties perpetrated by the Genoese
Louis proceeds to Italy at the head of a large army Genoa capitu-
lates Louis XII. takes possession of the city A Court festival Danc-
ing bishops Interview between Louis XII. and Ferdinand Gonsalvo de
Cardova Refusal of the Pope to meet Louis XII. . . Page 38
CHAPTER III
1508-12
Julius II. endeavours to subjugate Venice The Venetians attempt to pro-
pitiate Germany and Spain Treaty between the Four Great Powers The
French army re-enters Italy Battle of Agnadello Success of Louis
XII. Despair of the Venetians Weakness of Maximilian The Vene-
tians take Padua The Swiss desert Flight of the emperor Louis
returns to France Hostility of the Pope towards France Defection of
Ferdinand Louis threatened with excommunication The Pope pro-
ceeds with his army to Mirandola Heroic defence of the Countess Fran-
cesca Pico Death of the Cardinal d'Amboise The Pope enters into a
league with England and Spain Gallantry of Gaston de Foix Victory
of Ravenna Death of Gaston de Foix The French return to the
Milanese 59
CHAPTER IV
1513
Effects of the battle of Ravenna Religious scruples of the queen The Pope
raises a force in Switzerland The emperor withdraws his subjects from
the French army Maximilian Sforza enters Milan The Genoese revolt
Lord Dorset lands in Spain, is disgusted, and withdraws Intrigues
of Ferdinand Louis XII. invests Francis with the command of the
army of the Milanese The Spanish general declines his challenge The
CONTENTS
French raise their camp before Pampeluna, and repass the Alps Light-
heartedness of Francis A prince and an advocate Licentiousness of
Francis Ancient notions of piety France enters into a league with the
Venetian states Treaty of marriage between the Archduke Charles
and the Princesse Renee Union of Venice with France Death of
Julius II. Accession of Leo X. His enmity to France Louis XII.
endeavours to propitiate him, but fails He concludes a truce with Fer-
dinand and the Venetians The Swiss take up arms against France
Ferdinand and Henry VIII. join the cause of the Pope Louis again
invades the. Milanese Takes the principal cities Battle of Vivegano
The French are driven from the Milanese Louis mortgages a portion of
the crown land Henry VIII. invades France, and besieges Terouenne
Louis proceeds to Calais Bayard captures an English gun Famine in
the city Maximilian joins the English king The battle of the Spurs
Bayard wins his ransom Honours rendered to Bayard by Maximilian
and Henry VIII. Louis withdraws his army into Picardy . Page 79
CHAPTER V
Divisions among the French generals Francis appointed to the command of
the new army Terouenne capitulates, and is destroyed by Henry VIII.
Burgundy revolts The Swiss determine to invade France They are
worsted at Dijon, and enter into a treaty with the French general The
treaty is disavowed by Louis Dismal prospects of France Henry VIII.
enters Tournay, and returns to England A twelvemonths' truce signed
by the European sovereigns Death of Anne de Bretagne Grief of the
king Marriage of the Princesse Claude and Francis The Court mourn-
ing Louis urged to take a third wife The Due de Longueville nego-
tiates for the hand of the Princess Mary of England Misunderstanding
between the two monarchs The treaty is renewed Betrothal of the
contracting parties Mary and Brandon, Duke of Suffolk Arrival of the
young queen in France Anne Boleyn The royal marriage Court
festivities Mary becomes enamoured of Francis Position of the
Princesse Claude A courtier's caution Accusation of Brantome
Illness of Louis XII. His last interview with Francis Death of
Louis XII. . 109
CHAPTER VI
1515
The queen cedes her estates to her husband The Bretons disallow her right
Enthusiasm of the French people on the accession of Francis His
CONTENTS
coronation His interview with Queen Mary His caution to Suffolk
Brandon marries the widowed queen Is reproached by Francis for his
perfidy But reconciled to Henry at the entreaty of his wife, and returns
to England Francis makes his public entry into Paris His profusion
His romantic tastes His high spirit He forms his government Charles
de Bourbon created Constable of France Marriage of Mademoiselle de
Bourbon with the Due de Lorraine The king and the wild boar The
Court of Madame d'Angouleme Her maids of honour Circle of the
queen Her love of retirement Francis resolves to recover the Milanese
The Archduke Charles sends ambassadors to France Is promised the
hand of the Princesse Renee, the queen's sister Henry of Nassau He
marries Claudine de Chalon State of Europe Treaty between France
and England Francis endeavours to conciliate the Swiss They threaten
to invade France Francis marches a strong force towards Burgundy -
Ferdinand endeavours to alarm the Pope and the Emperor Francis
removes to Amboise, and sends an embassy to Rome . . Page 133
CHAPTER VII
Francis organizes his army The queen's farewell reception Magnificence of
Bourbon Emotion of Marguerite de Valois Jealousy of Bonnivet
Their parting Indiscretion of Bonnivet Difficulty in replenishing the
treasury Discontent of the Parliament Madame d'Angouleme appointed
regent Character of Louise de Savoie Amount of the French army
Its distribution Difficulty in passing the Alps Perseverance of the
troops The vanguard enters Italy Surprise of Prosper Colonna His
capture Delivers his sword to Bayard Alessandria and Tortona taken
by the French Alarm of the Pope Retreat of the Swiss Francis
endeavours to conciliate them, but fails through the agency of the Cardinal
of Sion The Swiss troops attempt to seize the public chest at Buffaloro
Their leaders apprize Lautrec of the project They evacuate Italy
Bayard solicits the king's permission to attack the enemy, but is refused
Francis marches upon Turin He is joined by the Due de Gueldres
The French headquarters are established at Marignano Cardona refuses
to pass the Po D'Alviano reaches Lodi Indignation of Francis against
the Swiss The Cardinal of Sion harangues the mercenary troops
Fleuranges alarms the garrison The Swiss troops march upon Marignano
The king is apprized of their approach Battle of Marignano Francis
narrowly escapes capture Bayard is unhorsed, but effects his retreat
The battle-couch of Francis The attack is resumed at daybreak The
Swiss troops retreat, and return to Milan, whence they proceed home-
ward, pursued by D'Alviano The price of victory Francis receives
knighthood on the field at the hands of Bayard, and confers it upon
Fleuranges The French march to Milan The Swiss revolt against the
CONTENTS
Cardinal of Sion, who secures his safety by flight Reception of the
French king by the citizens of Milan Maximilian Sforza surrenders to
Francis Generosity of the conqueror The Milanese take the oath of
allegiance to France ... . . . . . Page 160
CHAPTER VIII
Leo X. proposes a treaty with France, which is ratified at Viterbo His
tergiversation Francis proceeds to Bologna to meet the Pope Policy of
the pontiff A league is formed between the two potentates Francis
agrees to abandon his designs on Naples The question of the Pragmatic
Sanction is discussed Discontent of the University of Paris Leo X.
endeavours to induce Francis to undertake a crusade against the Turks
The Concordat is signed Exultation of the French people Ferdinand
of Aragon endeavours to arouse the jealousy of Henry VIII. against
France The emperor raises a powerful army Lautrec besieges Brescia,
but is repulsed, and compelled to retire to Milan The Due de Bourbon
destroys the faubourgs of the city, and disbands the Swiss troops The
emperor threatens to raze the city of Milan The Swiss refuse to act
Maximilian escapes by night from the camp The siege of Milan is raised
The Swiss troops are recalled by the Diet The Imperialists evacuate
the Milanese Disgrace of Maximilian Brescia capitulates Death of
Ferdinand of Aragon He bequeaths his kingdom to the Archduke
Charles Francis issues several edicts which are unfavourably received
by his subjects Arrogance of the chancellor Education of Charles of
Aragon His prospects He endeavours to conciliate Francis Jealousy
of M. de Chievres against the Cardinal Ximenes Charles sends an
ambassador to France The two monarchs enter into a treaty of alliance
The hand of the infant Princesse Louise promised to the Spanish king
The peace of Noyon Maximilian accedes to the treaty State of the
Venetian territories Francis opens a negotiation with the Helvetic
States, and concludes a treaty of amity with Switzerland . . 202
CHAPTER IX
Domestic life of Francis The Court of Queen Claude Anticipated birth of a
dauphin Circle of Madame d'Angouleme Licentiousness of the young
king He resolves to form a distinct Court The Comtesse de Chateau-
briand Her birth and girlhood Her marriage The count is summoned
to Court His forebodings The mystic rings Mistaken confidence
Reception of the count by Francis Treachery of a confidant The
CONTENTS
countess arrives at Chambord Displeasure of her husband A misunder-
standing The queen's reception Presentation of the countess to the
king The queen and the countess Mistaken violence of M. de Chateau-
briand The influence of a Court atmosphere Policy of Louise de Savoie
M. de Chateaubriand retires from the Court . . . Page 226
CHAPTER X
1517-18
Francis forms projects for the embellishment of his kingdom and the encour-
agement of literature Birth of a dauphin Francis invites Leo X. to
become sponsor to the young prince The royal christening Resigna-
tion of Queen Claude Marriage of Lorenzo de' Medici and Madelaine
de la Tour-d'Auvergne Munificence of the Pope A fancy ball in the
sixteenth century The bridal banquet Increasing influence of Madame
de Chateaubriand Louise de Savoie becomes jealous of her power over
the king Forbearance of the queen The countess pushes the fortunes
of her brothers The hunting-party Lautrec appointed governor of the
Milanese The recall of Bourbon Indignation of the duchess-mother
Bourbon arrives at Court Love visions Jealousy of Francis The
chancellor endeavours to effect the recognition of the Concordat Per-
plexity of the king Magisterial corruption Pertinacity of Francis
Dismissal of the delegates Registration of the Concordat Demon-
stration of the university Unpopularity of the king . . . 242
CHAPTER XI
1518
The progress of literature Leonardo da Vinci Native talent Tact of
Francis An Italian charlatan Erasmus invited to France He refuses
to leave England Cupidity of Leo X. Martin Luther Increasing
favour of Madame de Chateaubriand Unbounded authority of Louise de
Savoie Arrogance of the French king His profusion Lautrec disgusts
the Milanese The Marechal Trivulzio Intrigues of the favourite
Trivulzio is declared a traitor He demands an audience of the king,
is refused, and dies broken-hearted The vacant baton is conferred upon
M. de Lescun . . . . . . . . .267
CHAPTER XII
1518
Increasing popularity of Charles of Spain Bonnivet is sent on a mission to
England A league is proposed by Francis to Henry against the Turks
CONTENTS
And the marriage of the infant dauphin with the Princess Mary The
reception of the embassy at the Court of England Bonnivet secures the
interest of Wolsey Francis enters into a correspondence with the car-
dinal Wolsey resigns the bishopric of Tournay Suspicions of Henry
VIII. The treaty is concluded The hostages The betrothal at St.
Paul's The French embassy leaves England The Earl of Worcester
arrives in France Reluctance of the Earl of Worcester to deliver up
the city of Tournay Indignation of M. de Chatillon The betrothal is
repeated at St. Denis The ambassadors leave France Francis fortifies
Tournay and Terouenne The French king endeavours to conciliate
Charles of Castile The Turks threaten Italy Francis declares his in-
tention of joining the Crusade Death of the Sultan Charles aspires to
be elected Emperor of Germany Rivalry of Charles and Francis
Maximilian demands the crown of Rome Intrigues of Leo X.
Chivalric diplomacy Bonnivet is despatched to Frankfort Precarious
position of Germany Death of Maximilian Its effect upon the affairs
of Europe Francis bribes the electoral princes . . Page 285
CHAPTER XIII
1519
A struggle for empire Contrast between Charles and Francis Able govern-
ment of the Cardinal Ximenes He is displaced and dies The Germans
favour the pretensions of Francis Tergiversation of the Pope Duplicity
of Henry VIII. Supineness of the petty princes Wily policy of Charles
Germaine de Foix Francis offends the prejudices of the Flemish
Robert de la Mark Seckingen His introduction to the French king
Mutual misgivings The Due de Gueldres is disgraced at the instigation
of Louise de Savoie Her double dealing M. de la Mark and the
Bishop of Liege join the cause of Charles Disgust of Seckingen He
joins the princes of Bouillon Charles of Austria attacks the Turkish
galleys .......... 306
CHAPTER XIV
1519-20
The electoral diet convened at Frankfort Death of M. de Boissy Charles
proclaimed Emperor of Germany Mortification of the French Ministers
Self-command of Francis Birth of a prince Henry VIII. becomes
his sponsor Progress of the Lutheran faith Louise de Savoie
establishes herself at the Tuileries Francis resolves to rebuild the
Louvre Bonnivet incites the king to enter upon a new war Francis
bribes Wolsey Henry and Francis arrange a personal interview The
Navarrese question is revived between the emperor and the French
CONTENTS
king Critical position of Charles V. The field of cloth of gold
The banquet The treaty The tourney Fearlessness of Francis An
exchange of visits The two queens The parting mass Confirmation
of the treaty Departure of Henry VIII. for Gravelines Francis returns
to France ......... Page 326
CHAPTER XV
1520-21
The differences between England and Scotland submitted to the arbitration
of Wolsey and Louise de Savoie Wolsey is brought over to the cause of
the emperor Charles V. and Henry VIII. meet at Gravelines Charles
proceeds to Aix-la-Chapelle for his coronation Narrow escape of the
French king Charles convokes a diet at Worms Luther defends his
doctrines, is outlawed, and protected by the Elector of Saxony
Francis is reluctant to commence the war Ingratitude of Charles V. to
Robert de la Mark La Mark returns to his allegiance, and defies the
emperor Policy of the Pope The Spaniards revolt Arrogance of
Charles V. The Navarrese solicit Henri D'Albret to claim his crown
Francis supplies him with troops Defence of the citadel of Pampeluna
Ignatius Loyola Surrender of Pampeluna to the French Imprudence
of the French general He enters Spain The Castilians rise against
him Lespare is defeated and made prisoner The emperor marches an
army against the Due de Gueldres The rival sovereigns appeal to
Henry VIII. The Due de Gueldres sues for a truce Francis fortifies
his frontiers Duplicity of the emperor The Comte de Nassau takes
Menzon A conference opened at Calais The Pope and Wolsey meet
at Bruges Bad faith of Leo X. Indignation of Francis against the
English king His self-reliance Bayard defends Mezieres Francis
encounters the enemy near Valenciennes, but suffers them to escape
The Comte de Nassau summons Bayard to surrender Spirited reply of
the good knight A ruse de guerre The imperialists raise the siege
The bottle of wine The recompense of Bayard Gratitude of the
citizens of Mezieres to the good knight Francis marches upon Picardy
Charles joins his army at Valenciennes Francis confers the command of
the vanguard upon the Due d'Alen9on Indignation of Bourbon
Francis returns to France, and disbands his army . . . 363
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
TO
THE FIRST VOLUME
Anne de Montfort ..
Margaret of Austria ..
Pierre de Bourbon ..
Louis, Sire de la Tremouille
PAGE
. 5
. 6
. 7
. 8
Philippe de la Clite, Sire de Corn-
mines . . . . .11
Louise de Savoie . . .16
Pierre de Rohan, Seigneur de Gie 18
.Charles de Montpensier . . 23
Jean de Chabannes, Seigneur de
Vandenesse . . . -23
Jacques de Chabannes, Seigneur
de la Palice . . . .23
Guillaume Gouffier, Seigneur de
Bonnivet . . . -23
George, Cardinal d'Amboise . 41
Gui de Rochefort . . .46
Guillaume de Croy, Seigneur de
Chievres . . . -47
Charles d'Amboise, Seigneur de
Chaumont . . . . 52
Pierre du Terrail, Seigneur de
Bayard ..... 55
Jean Jacques Trivulce, Marquis
de Vigevano . . -56
Francesco-Maria de la Rovera . 63
Raymond de Cardona . . 72
Fabrizio Colonna . . 7 2
Pietro da Navarro . . -73
Alphonso d'Este . . -75
Ludovic-Maria Sforza . . 80
Due de Longueville . . -83
PAGE
Messire Robert de la Mark . 96
Adrian de Brimeu, Marquis d'lm-
bercourt . . . -99
Sire Imbaud de Fontrailles . IOO
Eleanora of Austria . . .119
Louis de Luxembourg, Comte de
Saint-Pol .... 142
Odet de Foix, Sire de Lautrec . 143
Antoine Duprat . . .144
Anne de Montmorency . . 144
Philippe de Chabot, Sire de Brion 145
Henry, Count of Nassau . .150
Robert d'Aubigny . . -153
Guillaume Budee . . .158
Rene, the Bastard of Savoy . 164
Prosper Colonna . . . 173
Marco- Antonio Colonna . .214
Don Francisco Ximenes . .219
Henri d'Albret II. . . .221
Madelaine de la Tour-d'Auvergne 247
Pierre Danes .... 268
Pierre du Chatel . . .268
Guillaume Cop .... 268
Etienne Poucher . . . 268
Andre Alcyat .... 269
Philippe de Hesse . . -315
Jeromio Aleandro . . . 320
Ugo de Moncada . . . 325
Clement Marot . . . .336
Francesco-Maria Sforza . . 374
Adrian, Bishop of Tortosa . 376
Seigneur de Montmoreau . . 382
ENGRAVED PORTRAITS
VOL. I
1. FRANCIS I., KING OF FRANCE Frontispiece
Designed by Le Gros and engraved by Joseph Brown, after
the Portrait by Titian.
2. JULIA PARDOE Prefixed to Memoir
Engraved, in 1849, by S. Freeman from an Original Draw-
ing by J. Lilley.
3. FERDINAND, DUKE OF ALVA To face page 85
From the Original by Schubert in the Imperial Collection,
Lower Belvidere, Vienna, and engraved by S. Freeman.
4. MARGARET DE VALOIS ,, 162
Engraved by S. Freeman from a Portrait published in Niel's
lllustres Franfais du i6me Siecle.
5. CHARLES, DUKE OF BOURBON AND CONSTABLE OF
FRANCE 256
From a scarce Print after Titian, engraved by Vorsterman,
now re-engraved by J. W. Cook.
6. HENRY VIII 351
Engraved by J. Cook from the Original Picture by Holbein
in the Court Room at St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
7. IGNATIUS LOYOLA ,, 378
From a scarce Print by H. Wierix.
The stamped Design used on the cover of this work is copied
from a cut in Dibdin's Bibliographical Decameron, where it is given
as a specimen of the skill in this kind of ornament possessed by the
celebrated Diane de Poitiers, "in which she has contrived to inter-
weave her initials with those of her royal lover, as well as to introduce
the insignia of the heathen goddess whose name she bore."
THE COURT AND REIGN
OF
FRANCIS THE FIRST
CHAPTER I
Accession of Francis I. Misgivings of Louis XII. His marriage with Jeanne
de France Betrothal of the dauphin, afterwards Charles VIII. His
romantic passion for Anne de Bretagne Accession of Charles VIII.
Revolt of the Due d'Orleans His imprisonment Restored to liberty at
the intercession of his wife Charles refuses to marry Margaret of
Austria Indignation of the emperor Proposals of marriage from
Charles VIII. to Anne de Bretagne Her coronation Death of Charles
VIII. Death of Jeanne de France Marriage of Louis XII. and Anne
de Bretagne Birth of Francis I. Comte d'Angouleme Jealousy of
the Comtesse d'Angouleme and the queen Comtesse d'Angouleme
exiled to Amboise Marechal de Gie appointed governor to the young
prince Accomplishments of Francis Household of the queen Her
ostentation Conflicting politics Departure of the Court Charles de
Montpensier His passion for Marguerite de Valois Her education
Jealousy of Gauffier M. de Vandenesse Intrigue of Louise de Savoie
Illness of the king The queen enters into a treaty of marriage between
her daughter and the Archduke Charles Reveng^ of M. de Gie His trial
His exile Treaty of Blois Mortification of Madame d'Angouleme.
IN the person of Louis XII. of France expired the
elder branch of the House of Orleans. Only three
months subsequent to his nuptials with the young
and beautiful Mary of England (the sister of Henry
VI II.), his third wife, he was seized with fever and
dysentery at the palace of Les Tournelles in Paris ;
and breathed his last in the seventeenth year of his
VOL. I I
THE COURT AND REIGN OF
reign and the fifty-fourth of his age, leaving the
vacant throne to the Comte d'Angouleme, the hus-
band of his daughter Claude.
The extreme personal beauty of this prince, com-
bined with his fearless and engaging qualities, his
eloquence, courtliness of demeanour, and unbounded
liberality, dazzled alike the courtiers and the people ;
and the dying king was probably the only individual
in the nation who had reflected with misgiving upon
the possible, and indeed inevitable, results of the
uncalculating profusion and ungovernable ambition
of his successor. In himself a model of integrity,
and well deserving the title of the Father of his
People, from his constant and zealous watchfulness
over the interests of his subjects, he could not wit-
ness without anxiety the brilliant but dangerous
qualities of the young count ; and it was conse-
quently with earnestness and care that he applied
himself before his death to the execution of such
public measures as might at least tend to mitigate,
even if they could not altogether avert, the evils
which he deprecated. Although occasionally the
dupe of his own kind-heartedness and the treachery
of his neighbours, Louis XII. never lost his con-
fidence in human nature ; and constantly sought to
remedy rather than revenge the wrongs to which
he was subjected by others ; while, carrying his
prudence to an extreme which was on many occa-
sions stigmatized by the young and inconsiderate
with the name of penuriousness, he was accustomed,
when this fact was hinted to him, to reply that " the
FRANCIS THE FIRST
justice of a monarch should teach him to render
to every one his due, rather than to suffer his
generosity to induce him to display too great
a profusion." It was therefore natural that the
opposite qualities, which he early discovered in his
son-in-law, should cause him to look with distrust
into the future. " Ce gros gar$on nous gdtera tout ;"
he was wont to exclaim whenever any instance of
the improvidence of Francis was forced upon him ;
but not even the most serious of his delinquencies
sufficed to diminish his affection, or to excite his
anger towards the offender.
Moreover, it is certain that if Francis I. became
not only a chivalric, but also, for the age in which
he lived, an accomplished sovereign, his predecessor
may nevertheless be justly styled the Father of
letters in France ; learning having been greatly
encouraged during his reign, and learned men
especially honoured. Cicero was his favourite
author among the ancients, and his collection of
autographs was of considerable extent and value.
He employed many Italian scholars at his court and
in the public offices ; and his directions to his judges
were stringent, that they should upon all occasions
decide such causes as came before them according
to the dictates of their conscience ; and utterly
disregard, under every circumstance, even any
orders to the contrary which might be wrung from
himself during the progress of the proceedings.
He also discouraged, in so far as he found it
possible, the inordinate taste of his nobility for
4 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
costly studs and extravagant establishments of
hounds, declaring that, like Actseon, they were
devoured by their dogs and horses. Nevertheless,
he was accomplished in all feats of joust and
tournay ; and so brave in the field, that upon one
occasion, when his immediate attendants, who con-
sidered their own lives endangered by his im-
petuosity, ventured to expostulate with him, and
besought him not to expose his sacred person with
so little precaution, he replied disdainfully : " Let
all who are afraid stand behind me !"
Neither would he, however great the provoca-
tion, ever suffer himself to be betrayed into an
undue intemperance of speech or bearing, by which
his kingly dignity might be compromised ; and to
such an extent did he carry this difficult self-
government, that when, during the wars of Italy,
D'Alviano, the general of the Venetian army, was
brought before him a captive, and replied to his
courteous and considerate greeting with an inso-
lence which overpassed all bounds, Louis magnani-
mously controlled every symptom of indignation,
and contented himself with directing his removal
to the quarters which had been assigned to the
other prisoners ; simply remarking to those about
him, as the arrogant soldier was led away : " I have
done well to dismiss him, as I might have lost my
temper, which I should have regretted. I have
conquered him ; and it is no less essential that I
should learn to conquer myself."
No wonder then that, when he expired, the
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 5
watchmen of Paris announced the fatal event to the
inhabitants of the city in these touching words :
" Frenchmen ! we declare to you the most fatal
news that you have ever heard. The good King
Louis, the Father of his People, is dead ! Pray to
GOD for the repose of his soul."
The greatest blot which rests upon the memory
of Louis XII. is his repudiation of his first wife, the
unfortunate Jeanne de France, daughter of Louis
XL, for the purpose of marrying Anne de Bretagne, 1
the widow of Charles VIII.; and even in this act
there are extenuating points. Compelled by the
last-named monarch to affiance himself while yet a
mere youth, and Due d'Orleans, to Jeanne ; and
subsequently to complete an alliance which was
repugnant to him, when he had already bestowed
his affections elsewhere, he had the additional
mortification of seeing himself united to a prin-
cess deformed in person, and totally deficient in
beauty ; although her meekness of temper and
gentleness of disposition might perhaps have ulti-
mately reconciled him to this fact, had he been
heart free at the period of his marriage ; but
with his imagination full of the splendid beauty
and courtly fascinations of the heiress of Brittany,
1 Anne de Montfort, Duchesse de Bretagne, was the daughter and
heiress of Francois II. Born in 1476, she married, in 1491,
Charles VIII., king of France, and governed the kingdom during his
expedition in Italy. On his death she became the wife of Louis
XII., over whom she exercised extraordinary influence. She was
the first queen who had a separate bodyguard ; and also the first
who adopted black as mourning, white having previously been the
conventional colour. She died in 1514.
THE COURT AND REIGN OF
his dislike to his enforced bride soon grew into
disgust.
Unfortunately for the timid and neglected duchess,
Louis had been a guest at the court of the Due
Frangois at a period anterior to their union, when
Anne, although also affianced to the Archduke Maxi-
milian of Austria, whom she had never seen, was in
the first bloom of her maidenly beauty. As yet
fettered by no definitive ties (for she was aware that
her marriage treaty could be annulled as readily as
it had been contracted), she was by no means in-
sensible to the evident passion of the gallant and
handsome Due d'Orleans ; and it was, consequently,
with increased irritation and chagrin that he saw
himself unable to profit by a preference which would
have secured his happiness.
The dauphin, afterwards Charles VIII., had been
in his turn, at the age of thirteen years, betrothed to
Margaret of Austria, 1 the daughter of Maximilian,
after his hand had been successively declined by the
Princesse Marie, and Elizabeth of England ; and
powerless and timid as he was, he revolted at the
idea of being thus fettered by an engagement to a
child who had scarcely entered her fourth year.
1 Margaret of Austria was the daughter of the Emperor Maxi-
milian and Mary of Burgundy, and was born at Ghent in 1480.
Affianced to the dauphin (Charles VIII.), and subsequently sent
back to the court of her father, she was again betrothed, in the year
1497, to the Infant John, son of Ferdinand the Catholic and Isabella ;
and in 1508, after the death of Don John, she married Philibert le
Beau, Due de Savoie, whom she lost in 1512, and who left her, as
her first husband had done, a childless widow. Her father appointed
her Gouvernante of the Low Countries, and she ultimately died at
Malines, in 1530.
. ;{/
FRANCIS THE. FIRST
According to the command of the king his father,
Charles had been reared in the most perfect retire-
ment, in the fortress-palace of Amboise, under the
united guardianship of Madame Anne de France,
his elder sister, and the Sire de Beaujeu, 1 her hus-
band. The feeble health of the young prince, who
was very delicate and of slight frame, but gentle
and kind in disposition, was the plausible pretext of
Louis for thus secluding him from the world, and
maintaining him in profound ignorance of all public
affairs ; the ferocious and jealous monarch remem-
bering, in all probability, that the example of filial
turpitude which he had himself exhibited might,
should he suffer the physical and mental strength of
his son to attain their just dimensions, be followed
in the person of the dauphin.
Thus Louis XI. had found it difficult to secure
such a wife for the young prince as he deemed
worthy to share the throne of France ; and it was
not without considerable difficulty that Maximilian
had at length been induced to grant to him the hand
of his infant daughter, who was to remain under the
immediate guardianship of the queen until she should
attain a marriageable age.
The apparently profound indifference with which
Charles went through the ceremony of his betrothal
had, however, a deeper source than was suspected
by those around him ; for he also, although only by
report, had suffered his boyish fancy to become
captivated by the charms of Anne de Bretagne.
1 Pierre de Bourbon, Connetable de France.
8 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
Again and again did he question his cousin d'Orleans,
and M. de la Tremouille, 1 by whom he had been
accompanied to the Court of Brittany, of all they had
seen and heard in that brilliant circle ; constantly,
but as if unconsciously, directing their reminiscences
to the young duchess, and crowding his imagination
with scenes of pageantry and pleasure in which she
was always the most prominent object. To him,
debarred as he was from all the pastimes suited to
his age and rank, the bare outline of such festivities
would have been attractive ; but blent as they thus
were with the image of the beautiful young heiress,
they were the greatest luxury of his dull and weary
existence. No wonder, then, that after the death
of his father, who had confided the government of
the kingdom during his minority to his sister and
guardian, Madame de Beaujeu, he soon began to
cherish hopes which had hitherto seemed more than
chimerical.
1 Louis, Sire de la Tremouille, Prince de Talmont, and Vicomte
de Thouars, born in 1460, was the representative of an ancient and
illustrious family of Poitou, and acquired, by his talents and courage,
the appointment of general-in-chief of the army of Charles VIII.
against Francois II., Due de Bretagne. He achieved a splendid
victory over the enemy at St. Aubin-de-Cormier, in 1488, and made
prisoners of both the Due d'Orleans, afterwards Louis XII., and the
Prince of Orange. He also contributed, in a great degree, to the
reunion between the two countries, by facilitating the marriage of
the Duchesse Anne and Charles. His services were rewarded by the
post of first-chamberlain to the king, and the lieutenancy of Poitou,
Anjou, Angoumais, Aunis, and the Marches of Brittany. Appointed
by Louis XII. to the command of his armies in Italy, he effected the
conquest of Lombardy, and was made Governor of Burgundy and
Admiral of Guienne (1502), and subsequently of Brittany also.
Worsted by the Swiss at Novara in 1513, he revenged his defeat
upon them at Marignano, at the fearful price, however, of his only
son, and was ultimately killed at the battle of Pavia in 1525.
FRANCIS THE FIRST
Other and more immediate matters of interest,
however, in some degree withdrew the attention
of the young monarch from this cherished secret.
Madame Anne de France, who had hitherto pre-
served her purity of heart and rigid sense of morality,
had been unable to resist the manly graces of the
Due d'Orleans, and had even permitted him to see
the hold which he had obtained upon her affections,
flattering herself that the attachment was reciprocal ;
but Louis, warned by the Comte de Dunois not to
allow himself to be dazzled by the blandishments
of his royal sister-in-law, who was only anxious to
enslave his feelings in order to divert him from pro-
secuting his claim to the regency after the demise
of Louis XI. a warning which was overheard by
Madame de Beaujeu, and never forgotten caused
the young duke to withdraw, with marked coldness,
from her advances, and converted a fond woman
into an implacable enemy. When, therefore, Louis
d'Orleans, who had taken up arms in support of the
right which he claimed as first prince of the blood,
to govern the kingdom during the minority of
Charles, was defeated and captured at St. Aubin,
in Brittany, by the Sire de la Tremouille, remem-
bering only the slight which had been offered to her,
and anxious to revenge, under cover of political
expediency, the affront which she had sustained, she
caused him to be confined in the prison -tower of
Bourges, where, during three long and weary years,
he was treated with the greatest harshness and in-
dignity. At the termination of this period, however,
io THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
his wife, whom even his neglect and coldness had
failed to wean from the deep and earnest affection
which she bore him, threw herself at the feet of the
young king, her brother, and besought him, in the
most heart-touching terms, to restore the duke to
liberty. Her tears moved Charles, who had always
felt a strong affection for his gallant relative ; yet for
a while he remained irresolute. The period at which
his sister's control was legally to cease had already
passed away ; but although, by the death of her
husband's brother, Anne de France had become
Duchesse de Bourbon, she did not appear disposed
to relinquish her authority ; and Charles had never
ventured to oppose her will. The tears and en-
treaties of the unhappy Jeanne, however, ultimately
overcame his constitutional timidity, although not so
thoroughly as to induce him to give a public order
for the liberation of the duke ; for he was so well
aware of the inflexible hatred which his elder sister
bore towards the captive, that he had not courage
to contend against the remonstrances which he was
conscious must ensue from such a course. In order
to escape the watchfulness of Madame de Bourbon,
therefore, he affected to set forth upon a hunting
party ; and, directing his course towards Bourges,
he sent forward two of his chamberlains to liberate
the sometime rebel.
Anne, deeply wounded by this sudden assump-
tion of authority on the part of her late ward, at
once withdrew from all share in the government,
and assumed towards the Due d' Orleans an attitude
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST \ i
of haughty animosity, which was as idle as it was
innoxious.
Anxious to liberate himself from the trammels
which had been cast about him, Charles lost no
time in causing the young Princess Margaret, his
affianced bride, to be reconducted to Flanders, with
great honour indeed, and attended by a magnificent
retinue ; but this parade of respect did not reconcile
the pride of the mortified girl to so degrading a
dismissal, nor calm the anger of her justly irritated
father. The resentment of Maximilian was, how-
ever, of slight importance to France ; and, conse-
quently, the prospect of his commencing a war in
order to revenge his wounded honour did not in-
duce Charles to renounce his hopes of a marriage
upon which his heart had long been fixed, and
which, moreover, promised to be so advantageous
to the nation. Dunois, De la Tremouille, De
Commines, 1 and all the principal advisers of Louis
d'Orleans, had incurred the disgrace of Madame de
Beaujeu, and sought to gain the favour of the young
king by forwarding his union with Anne ; which
was rendered the more desirable from the fact that
1 Philippe de la Clite, Sire de Commines, was born in 1445? an d
passed his youth at the court of Charles the Bold, whose service he
abandoned for that of Louis XI. in 1472. His new master made
him a counsellor, chamberlain, and seneschal of Poitiers, and admit-
ted him to the limited circle of his intimate advisers. At the death
of Louis XI. he was appointed a member of the council of regency ;
but, being accused of favouring the faction of the Due d'Orleans,
he was confined by Anne de Beaujeu in the castle of Loches. After
having undergone two years of captivity, he was employed by the
Court in several negotiations, and died in 1509, at the age of sixty-
four. His Memoir es pour FHistoire de Louis XI. et de Charles VIII.
obtained for him the appellation of the French Tacitus.
12 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
her father and younger sister being dead, she had
become sole heiress of the noble duchy of Brittany,
which would thus be reunited to the crown of
France.
Their chief difficulty lay, however, with the young
duchess herself. Pleading her betrothal to Maxi-
j ^jnilian, and voluntarily overlooking the fact that,
after having espoused her by proxy, he had never
made any effort to remove the obstacles which had
prevented their definitive union ; and that his age,
/HA habits, and temper were, moreover, in complete dis-
cordance with her own ; she affected to cover her
distaste to the alliance now offered to her by assert-
ing her determination to fulfil the pledge that she
had given. But Anne was ambitious ; and ere long
she remembered that the frail and feeble Charles
VIII. was King of France, Louis d'Orleans the
husband of the Princesse Jeanne, and Maximilian
lukewarm and in the decline of life. Her most
zealous friends urged her to accept the crown which
she was so well fitted to adorn ; and ultimately she
consented to solicit from the Pope a dispensation
which might enable her to yield her hand to the
French monarch.
Shortly after her marriage with Charles VIII.,
which took place with great pomp at Langeais, she
was crowned at St. Denis ; and her exulting hus-
band then conducted her to Amboise, to which, as
his birthplace, he was exceedingly attached, and
which he proposed to embellish. An expedition to
Italy, whence he had fondly flattered himself that
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 13
he should return a conqueror, retarded, however,
the execution of this project ; but on his return to
France he hastened to put it into execution ; various
plans were submitted to him, and he commenced the
construction of a new edifice which was destined to
be regal in its decorations. But a fatal accident
once more rendered his design abortive. As he
was one day conducting the queen to the tennis-
court, to reach which it was necessary to traverse
a dark and low-roofed gallery, he struck his head
against the archway of a door ; and although he
affected to treat the accident lightly, and even joined
in the game, it soon became evident that he had
received his death-blow ; for on again entering the
gallery to pass into his apartments, he was seized
with a sudden giddiness, and fell to the ground
senseless. In the agitation and terror of the
moment, his attendants made no effort to remove
him from the close and gloomy spot where he had
fallen, but laid him upon a squalid mattress which
had been flung down there by some menial of the
castle, and on which he expired during the night
in his twenty-eighth year.
The frightful nature of his death may perhaps
account in some degree for the excessive grief
displayed by the queen for a husband of whose
infidelities she had frequent and flagrant proofs,
and whom she had never professed to love. Cer-
tain it is that, as if in order to render her affliction
more conspicuous, she assumed the deepest sables
as her mourning garb, although white had hitherto
14 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
been the habitual dress of all royal widows in
France. Despite these outward demonstrations,
however, Anne received with undisguised pleasure
the consolations tendered to her by the new king,
through the medium of two of his confidential
nobles, who played their part so well that they
mingled their tears with hers, and prepared the
way for their royal master, who, when her first
burst of grief had subsided, hastened to assure her
of his deep sympathy in her affliction. By his
command, and at his cost, a funeral service of
extraordinary magnificence was celebrated in the
chapel of Amboise for the repose of the soul of
Charles VIII.; and this duty was no sooner per-
formed than he endeavoured to turn her thoughts
from the husband whom she had lost, to the days
in which, at the court of her father, they had first
met, and yielded to an attachment which neither
had yet forgotten.
"Obtain the dissolution of your marriage with
Jeanne de France," had ultimately whispered the
new-made widow, " and I abandon my hand to
you."
Louis XII. needed no second bidding ; and while
Anne hastened to conceal her present sorrows and
her future hopes in the castle of Loches, the husband
of the unhappy Jeanne took instant measures for
effecting that divorce which was to be the last trial
of her married life.
Only nine months after the death of Charles,
Caesar Borgia, the nephew of Alexander VI.,
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 15
delivered to the French monarch the bull by which
the sovereign pontiff declared null and void the
union contracted between Louis d'Orleans and
Jeanne de France ; and upon its receipt the dissolu-
tion of the marriage was publicly announced in the
church of St. Denis at Amboise. The unfortunate
daughter of Louis XL, whose meek virtues and
devoted affection had been unable to obtain for her
the heart of the man on whom she had been taught
to look from her earliest childhood as the companion
and protector of her future life, roused herself from
the dejection and apathy into which she had fallen,
and made one faint struggle while the divorce was
still pending to maintain her right ; but she was
unable to contend against her destiny ; and when
the fatal dissolution was announced, she retired to
Bourges, and passed the remainder of her life in
works of piety and benevolence. Among other
good deeds she founded the convent of the Annun-
ciation, visited the sick, and fed the hungry ; and
when, in 1504, she breathed out her peaceful soul,
her body was followed to the grave by the tears and
blessings of the poor.
The marriage of Anne de Bretagne with Louis
XII. followed immediately upon the divorce which
had broken the heart of the forsaken Jeanne ; but
the new queen did not revisit Amboise until the
following year; when, although the monarch added
to its attractions by the vast and magnificent planta-
tion known as the royal garden, and made other
improvements calculated to render it a more agree-
16 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
able residence for his beautiful and idolized wife,
Anne soon discovered that she had too many dis-
pleasing and still recent memories connected with
the spot willingly to become its habitual occupant ;
and thus the royal pair, after a short stay in the
antique castle, abandoned it, and held their court
successively at Blois, Loches, Chinon, and Paris.
The second marriage of Louis XII. was the first
shadow cast over the brilliant prospects of the young
Francis. The alleged sterility of Jeanne de France,
and the feeble constitution of Charles VIII., had
alike tended hitherto to raise the hopes of those
who were interested in his succession to the throne ;
but those hopes now became much less sanguine as
they reflected that Anne de Bretagne was not only
still young, but also tenderly beloved by her hus-
band ; and that there was, consequently, every
reason to anticipate the birth of a dauphin. Never-
theless, the queen herself looked upon the heir-
presumptive with a jealous eye ; all the children
whom she had borne to Charles had died in their
infancy, and the continual presence of the young
prince at Court was irksome to her. /
The Comte d'Angouleme was born at Coignac
on the 1 2th of September, 1494, an event which
Louise de Savoie, 1 his mother, has recorded, in her
somewhat heterogeneous journal, with true maternal
exultation. 2 He was only two years of age when he
1 Louise de Savoie was the daughter of Phillipe, Due de Savoie,
and Marguerite de Bourbon. She was born at Bresse, in 1476, and
in I488married Charles d'Orleans, Due d'Angouleme. Shediedin i 532.
2 This journal, which, brief and unsatisfactory as it is, yet contains
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 17
lost his father, and became the ward of his kinsman,
the Due d'Orleans, who at once evinced the sincer-
ity of his affection for his young charge by selecting
as his tutor the learned Artus de Gouffier Boisy, a
gentleman of Poitou, who laboured assiduously to
render both the mind and character of the boy-prince
worthy of the eminent station which he might one
day be called upon to fill. Madame d'Angouleme
had passed the first years of her widowhood at
Romorantin, where she devoted herself to the
education of her son Francis and her daughter
Marguerite ; until she was summoned to the Court
by the monarch, who was anxious to promote a close
friendship between his queen and the mother of his
young ward. In this endeavour, however, he sig-
nally failed. Anne de Bretagne and Louise de
Savoie had too many conflicting jealousies at heart
long to maintain even the semblance of friendship.
Both were young, both eminently beautiful, and
both eager to give a king to France ; and thus a
some important statistical facts, was discovered in the original MS.
by a monk named Hilarion de Costa, in the library of M. de Hardy,
a counsellor of the Chatelet, by whom it was given to M. Guichenon.
The latter gentleman published it, among other papers of interest,
at the termination of his Histoire Gtnealogique de la Maison de
Savoie; and the Abb Lambert subsequently appended it to his
translation of the Memoires de Du-Bellay, in 1753.
One of the entries which it contains is so startling, and, were it
not that the subject is unfitted for a jest, would be so ludicrous, that
it must not be passed over without notice ; particularly as the moral
character of the princess, when placed in juxtaposition with her office,
renders the whole transaction doubly disgraceful ; and exposes, in a
marked manner, the venality and corruption of the Romish Church.
We give it in the original : " L'an 1519, le 5 Juillet, frere Francois
de Paule, des freres mendians evangelistes, fut par moi canonise ; a
tout le moins, j'en ai paye" la taxe." All comment would be idle.
VOL. I 2
1 8 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
mutual distrust and dislike was engendered, which
ere long increased to such an extent that they
mutually threw off all disguise, and harassed alike
the sovereign and his ministers by the cabals into
which they entered. Time, instead of softening,
served only to increase this unhappy animosity; and
on the successive death of two infant sons, in each
of whom Anne had for a few brief weeks fondly
believed that she beheld the inheritor of the French
crown, the exultation of Louise was so unbounded
as to assume the character of insult ; while the queen,
irritated by a display of triumph which doubled the
bitterness of her disappointment, became only more
confirmed in her hatred of both mother and son.
Under these circumstances Louis XII. resolved
to withdraw Madame d'Angouleme once more from
the Court ; and in the year 1 504 he appointed
Amboise as her place of residence, and confided to
Pierre de Rohan, Marechal de Gie, whom he greatly
esteemed, the important office of governor to the
young prince. 1
The selection was a happy one, as, during his
sojourn in Italy, when general of the king's armies,
M. de Gie had devoted himself to literature and the
arts ; which, together with his other manly accom-
1 Pierre de Rohan, Seigneur de Gid, was one of the most power-
ful nobles at the Court of Louis XL, who created him Marshal of
France in 1475. He governed the kingdom conjointly with three
other individuals of high rank during the dangerous illness of that
monarch at Chinon, and commanded the vanguard of the army at
the battle of Fornoue in 1495. Louis XII. appointed him Chief of
the Council, Lieutenant-general in Brittany, and General of his forces
in Italy. He was also Commandant of Anjou and Amboise.
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST ig
plishments, had conduced to render him one of the
most distinguished nobles of the age. He was,
moreover, the descendant of one of the first families
of Brittany, very wealthy, and celebrated for the
loyalty and frankness of his character. Under the
guidance of such a man as Pierre de Rohan, Louis
felt assured that his ward would never suffer from
the want of his own superintendence ; and the result
justified his confidence ; for the zealous efforts of the
governor were soon apparent in the rapid progress
of the pupil, who under his auspices imbibed that
refinement of taste and that manly bearing for
which he was afterwards so famous. Not content,
however, with making him a scholar, M. de Gie
sought also to correct the defects of the young
prince ; and early observant of the impetuosity of
his character, as well as the quickness of his intellect,
he spared no pains to inculcate the necessity of his
acquiring that most difficult of all lessons, the art of
self-government.
As regarded his martial exercises, Francis required
little tuition ; for, addicted from his earliest boyhood
to manly and chivalrous pastimes, and gifted by
nature with a person at once tall, robust, and grace-
ful, he soon excelled all his companions, alike in
brilliant horsemanship and in the use of weapons of
every description ; while, by his natural cheerfulness,
urbanity, and frankness of deportment, he effectually
secured the affection of the friends of his boyhood,
who subsequently became alike the ornament and
the support of his throne.
20 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
Unfortunately, while devoting himself to the
qducation of his royal pupil, the marchal suffered
himself to be captivated by the attractions of
Madame d'Angouleme, who, far from scrupulous in
her conduct, encouraged his evident admiration by
her coquettish blandishments. It is probable that
Louise de Savoie, deprived in her honourable exile of
those opportunities of seduction of which she was so
perfect a mistress, did not reflect upon the possible
consequences of her imprudence upon the mind and
heart of such a man as the Marechal de Gie ; for it
is certain that she sought only to beguile the time
which hung so heavily upon her hands when she
suffered him to believe that he was daily possessing
himself of her affections, and had no inclination to
return a passion which she regarded only with con-
tempt. Thus the deluded noble was ultimately
beguiled into a declaration, which was repulsed with
a disdain so haughty and so undisguised, that he
uttered an internal vow that the scornful princess
should one day bitterly repent the indignity which
she had cast upon him.
Just at this juncture a letter reached the castle
informing M. de Gie that the Court had left Chinon
for Blois, and would remain for a few days at
Amboise ; upon which the marechal gave the neces-
sary orders, and then, with his accustomed deference,
hastened to communicate the king's intention to
Madame d'Angouleme, whom he did not again
meet until the arrival of the king and queen, with
their brilliant retinue.
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 21
/ Anne de Bretagne was the first female sovereign
of France who had ever conceived the idea of
enhancing her dignity by the formation of a re-
gularly organized household of ladies ; and Bran-
tome expatiates with enthusiasm upon this novel
addition to the Court circle, so well calculated to
increase the attraction of those receptions where
heretofore all had been stately tedium ; while he
also asserts that so earnest was Anne in the accom-
plishment of her object, that she never refused to
admit into her service any dame or damsel who was
authorized to aspire to it by gentle birth ; but, on
the contrary, frequently questioned the nobles by
whom she was approached as to the extent of their
families, and authorized them to invite their wives
or daughters in her name to join the royal suite.
Thus she soon accumulated a train of eight and
twenty maids-of-honour, at salaries varying from
thirty-five to one hundred annual livres ; and six-
teen ladies, either princesses or the wives of men
of the highest quality in the kingdom, all of whom
were likewise salaried ; and her court soon became
the school in which the noble youth of both sexes,
who were permitted to study it, sought to fashion
themselves.
Nor did even this new splendour satisfy the
magnificent tastes of Anne, who felt that while
she was thus increasing her own personal conse-
quence, she was at the same time humiliating her
haughty rival, Louise de Savoie ; for her female
circle was no sooner organized than she asked and
22 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
obtained of the king that she should be permitted
to increase the number of the bodyguard which he
had already conceded to her to two hundred ; most
of whom were well-born gentlemen of Brittany, who
were accustomed, when she left the palace of Blois,
either to attend mass or, for the purpose of exercise,
to await her upon the terrace, which was accord-
ingly soon known as the " Bretons' Perch," from
the fact that when she reached the door which led
to her apartments, she never failed to remark,
" There are my Bretons on their perch awaiting
me."
Thus brilliantly attended did she arrive at the
castle of Amboise ; and among her graceful suite
two lovely young princesses were equally con-
spicuous the one was Germaine de Foix, the
niece of the king, and the sister of the brave and
accomplished Gaston, who perished in the bloom
of youth at the battle of Ravenna ; and the other
Suzanne de Bourbon, the only child of Anne de
France and the Sire de Beaujeu.
The train of the king was less numerous, as most
of the young nobles who were of an age to en-
counter the fatigues of a campaign had sought and
obtained permission to join the army in Italy, where
Louis still maintained the disastrous struggle which
had been commenced by his predecessor Charles
VIII.
Nevertheless, he numbered in his retinue more
than one scion of the most illustrious families of
France ; among others the Due d'Alencon, then
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 23
considered as the future husband of Mademoiselle
de Bourbon, but who subsequently married Mar-
guerite d'Angouleme, the sister of Francis ; the
Comte Charles de Montpensier ; l M. de Van-
denesse, 2 the younger brother of the Marquis de
la Palice ; 3 and Guillaume Gouffier, Seigneur de
Bonnivet. 4
M. de Gie had arranged a series of festivities
for the amusement of the Court during their re-
sidence at Amboise, but the health of the king
had become so much shaken by the unfavourable
intelligence which daily reached him from Italy,
and by the obstinate opposition of Anne to various
resolutions with which a wise policy had inspired
1 Charles de Montpensier, Due de Bourbon, afterwards so cele-
brated as Connetable de Bourbon, was the second son of Gilbert,
Comte de Montpensier, and was born in 1489. He was made
Constable in 1515, and subsequently became Viceroy of Milan.
He acquired great renown at the battle of Marignano ; but, com-
pelled by the injustice of the queen-mother, who disputed his claim
to his domains, to leave France, he offered his services to Charles V.,
and commanded his forces during the wars of Italy. He was killed
in 1527, at the siege of Rome, and died without issue.
2 Jean de ' Chabannes, Seigneur de Vandenesse, who was sub-
sequently captain of a thousand foot soldiers at the battle of Ravenna.
He was killed at the retreat of Rebec.
3 Jacques de Chabannes, Seigneur de la Palice, Mare"chal de
France, Governor of Bourbon, Auvergne, Forez, Beaujolais, and
Lyons, was the most distinguished member of a family celebrated
for the number of great men which it has produced, and one of the
most renowned generals of his time. He served in Italy under both
Charles VIII. and Louis XII., and was killed at the battle of Pavia
in 1525.
4 Guillaume Gouffier, Seigneur de Bonnivet, was subsequently
Admiral of France, and General-in-chief of the armies of Francis I.
in Italy. He distinguished himself in several engagements ; but
having, by his imprudence, caused the loss of the battle of Pavia,
he threw himself in despair into the ranks of the enemy and was
killed.
24 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
him, that he was incapable of the exertion which
they would have required. Devotedly attached
to her person, he had accustomed himself to yield
to her wishes, not only in every instance wherein
she considered that her personal interests or dignity
as queen of France were in any way involved,
but even on points of more importance ; and so
anxious had he shown himself to maintain by every
means in his power the respect and deference
which he considered as her due, that no ambas-
sador or foreigner of rank who visited the Court,
after he had been received by the king himself,
was exempted from the necessity of proceeding
at once to the queen's apartments with the same
ceremony, in order that it might be understood
how completely he identified her in all the honours
of his own regality.
Naturally arrogant and ambitious, this new in-
novation upon the accustomed etiquette of the
Court sufficed to fill up the measure of her self-
appreciation ; but the measure, nevertheless, proved
to be one of sound policy ; for the extreme grace
and courtesy of manner which distinguished Anne
de Bretagne, coupled with an erudition which, if
it failed to be profound, was at least remarkable
at that period, and a superficial knowledge of
several languages, in which she constantly laboured
to perfect herself, enabled her to address the
various strangers who presented themselves in
their own native idiom ; and thus to secure to
herself a popularity which increased the charm
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 25
of her conversation, and admirably assisted her
views.
Although she had lost her sons she had become
the mother of a princess, whom Louis was anxious
to affiance to the young Comte d'Angouleme, his
heir-presumptive ; but this project met with the
most resolute opposition on her part. Duchesse de
Bretagne in her own right, and permitted, through
the affectionate indulgence of her royal husband, an
absolute control over all the affairs of the duchy, she
openly avowed her desire to render it an independent
government ; and, probably instigated as much by
her dislike of the Comtesse d'Angouleme as by any
political consideration, she was no sooner made
aware that Louis was already meditating a marriage
for the infant princess than she proceeded to nego-
tiate an alliance with the Due de Luxembourg, the
grandson of the Archduke Maximilian, to whom she
had herself been betrothed, and of which the princi-
pal condition was to be the cession of Brittany as a
portion of the bride's dowry. The monarch, actu-
ated at once by his affection for his consort, which
rendered him averse to oppose her wishes, and by
his desire not to aggravate the animosity between
herself and Louise de Savoie, suffered the negotiation
to proceed, and thus encouraged her to interfere in
the differences which existed between himself and
Pope Julius II. Anne, who was deeply tinctured
with the superstition of the time, affected, or perhaps
felt, the greatest horror upon seeing her husband in
open animosity against the sovereign-pontiff; and
26 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
regardless of the fact that Julius was the enemy of
the king and the sworn foe of France, she so warmly
and pertinaciously supported the cause of the Holy
See that Louis was once surprised into exclaiming,
" By heaven ! my Breton dame, any one, to hear
you so decidedly condemn what the most celebrated
universities have approved, would imagine that you
esteem yourself more learned than the age ! Have
your confessors never told you that women have no
voice in the Church ? "
The reproof came, however, too late. Anne had
become accustomed to follow the dictates of her own
will, and notwithstanding this remonstrance she
availed herself of her right of sovereignty over
Brittany, which was secured to her by her marriage
contract, to forbid the attendance of all the bishops
of that province at the council which was about to
assemble at Pisa, with intentions evidently hostile to
Julius. Addicted both to political and social in-
trigue, she seldom suffered either to become con-
spicuous ; and it was only when her pride or her
vanity was outraged that she was betrayed into a
vehemence that revealed the true extent of the pas-
sions by which she was governed.
On the departure of the Court from Amboise, the
king, at the request of Madame d'Angouleme (who
had fulfilled her duties of hostess with a composure
and courtesy which considerably diminished the
anticipated triumph of the queen), consented to
leave at the castle three of the young nobles of his
suite as companions to her son. These were Charles
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 27
de Montpensier, Guillaume de Gouffier, and M. de
Vandenesse. The latter, by his handsome person
and courtly manners, had attracted the attention of
Louise de Savoie, and in her desire to retain him at
Amboise had originated the idea of making this
application.
Of the new inmates of the castle, all of whom
were several years older than the young count,
Francis soon learned to prefer Gouffier, whose joy-
ous temperament and supple nature admirably
adapted him for the companionship of princes. The
proud, self-centred, and reserved temper of Charles
de Montpensier at once chilled and irritated him ;
while de Vandenesse appeared engrossed rather by
his mother than himself.
The only person towards whom Charles de
Montpensier wholly unbent was Mademoiselle
d'Angouleme. Although she had scarcely attained
her thirteenth year, her grace, intellect, and acquire-
ments were remarkable, and ere long the heart of
the proud and reserved young noble was at her feet.
Two years the senior of Francis, she was born on
the nth of April 1492 in the old castle of the city
of Angouleme. The early death of her father
affected her interests but little, as, although "one of
the best men among the princes of the blood,"
according to the declaration of Charles VIII., he
committed the education of his children entirely to
his wife, whose stronger mind and higher attain-
ments rendered her more competent to such a
charge. The nurture of the young and beautiful
28 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
and high -spirited Marguerite differed in almost
every particular from that of the pious and gentle
Claude, whom Anne de Bretagne was rearing in the
most absolute seclusion. The audacious, unscrupu-
lous, and ambitious spirit of Louise de Savoie did
not even seek to leaven itself by religion ; and thus
the atmosphere breathed by the young countess
from her earliest girlhood was redolent of gallantry,
pleasure, and intrigue. Nature had richly endowed
her both in mind and person, and the extraordinary
aptitude and perseverance with which she devoted
herself to study even from her infancy was probably
her best safeguard against corruption. As she
emerged from girlhood her proficiency as a linguist
excited universal astonishment, while in philosophy
and poetry she delighted ; and such of her composi-
tions as are still in existence, however grievously
and painfully they may be wanting in morality, are
yet distinguished by an ease and grace of expression
which contrasts in a marked manner with the inflated
and extravagant style of contemporary writers.
The mutual affection which subsisted between
herself and her brother became a proverb among all
who witnessed it. The whole soul of the boy-count
appeared to be wrapped up in his graceful and
richly endowed sister, to whom he referred his
tastes, his wishes, and his pursuits ; while, on her
side, Marguerite guided him by her counsels,
assisted him by her riper attainments, and glad-
dened him by her love. Both in person and in
mind they resembled each other greatly : in each
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 29
existed the same marked and commanding features,
the same quickness of intellect, and the same thirst
for knowledge. Nor were they less similar in their
love of pleasure, and we use the word in its most
comprehensive sense. No wonder, therefore, that
Francis idolized his sister, whom he was accustomed
to call his pet, the Marguerite of Marguerites, and
the pearl beyond price.
Notwithstanding all the caution of Montpensier
the secret of his attachment for Mademoiselle
d'Angouleme was soon discovered by Gouffier, who
had become equally enslaved by her attractions ;
and from that moment commenced a hatred between
the two young nobles which was destined to endure
throughout their lives. Marguerite, still a mere girl,
and hitherto engrossed by her studies, knew nothing
of love save in theory, and was consequently some
time ere she was able fully to comprehend the devo-
tion of the Comte Charles ; but she had no sooner
done so than she returned his passion with all the
ardour of her young and guileless heart. With the
natural timidity of an inexperienced girl she, how-
ever, shrank from confiding the state of her newly-
awakened feelings to her boy-brother, who, instigated
by Gouffier, his favourite companion, soon evinced
a decided distaste to the young Montpensier, which
at length obtained such a mastery over him that,
after a quarrel in the tennis-court, Francis, whose
warlike temper revealed itself upon all occasions,
declared his determination to meet him in single
combat ; nor was it without considerable difficulty
30 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
that M. de Gie succeeded in calming him. The
habitual authority of the marechal over the proud
spirit of the prince assured him, however, of an
ultimate, even if a hardly-won triumph ; but it was
far otherwise when he sought to pacify Charles de
Montpensier, who, although infinitely less demon-
strative in his indignation than his antagonist, felt
far more deeply. He replied briefly to the expostu-
lations of M. de Gie, evinced no disposition to make
the slightest concession, and, after having asked a
parting interview with Madame d'Angouleme and
her gifted daughter, left the castle the same day ;
but instead of proceeding to Blois, where the king
almost immediately upon his arrival had complained
of serious indisposition, he at once directed his steps
to Paris, where he rejoined his relative and god-
mother, Madame de Bourbon, from whom he had
been separated when the Court left Amboise.
His sudden and abrupt departure inflicted upon
Marguerite the first heart-pang that she had ever
experienced ; but by her mother it was scarcely re-
membered beyond the hour. The passion which
Louise de Savoie had permitted herself to encourage
for M. de Vandenesse had created an ideal world
about her which shut out all that it did not involve
within its own vortex ; while the young noble,
flattered by the love of so great and handsome a
princess, not content with the favours which she
lavished upon him, had the extreme imprudence to
assume her colours, and, discarding the gray and
green in which he had formerly appeared, to assume
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 31
the blue and silver in which she usually attired her-
self. This change did not escape the keen eye of
the marechal, who felt that his hour of revenge was
come ; and he accordingly kept so strict a watch
upon the movements of his favoured rival that he at
length surprised him as he was stealthily making his
way through an obscure gallery which led to the
apartments of Madame d'Angouleme.
" Sir," said the vigilant M. de Gie sarcastically,
" I am aware that this corridor leads only to the
chambers occupied by the female attendants of the
countess ; I will not, therefore, demand to know, as
I have every right to do in my capacity of governor
of this castle, upon what errand you are bound at so
unusual an hour. I will confine myself simply to
the request that you will immediately retrace your
steps, and leave Amboise by dawn to-morrow, as I
can allow no one to remain within these walls whose
example may prove pernicious to my royal pupil."
M. de Vandenesse, fearing to compromise the
princess by a resistance which would, moreover,
have proved useless, as he could not successfully
contend against the official authority of the mare-
chal, made no reply ; but, bowing respectfully,
returned to his own chamber, where, having sum-
moned his valet and made the necessary arrange-
ments, he remained until daylight, when he mounted
and rode from the castle of Amboise without even
having an opportunity of paying his parting respects
to his late hostess.
Louise de Savoie, on ascertaining the hurried
32 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
and unceremonious departure of the young noble,
was instantly convinced that he had retired at the
instigation of M. de Gie, who had thus seized the
first opportunity of revenge for his own dismissal ;
and even amid the bitterness of her annoyance she
smiled as she reflected that the time might yet come
when she would make him rue his interference ; nor
did she once condescend to allude to the circum-
stance. Madame d'Angouleme, unlike the gene-
rality of her sex, rarely sought her vengeance in
words.
The malady of the king soon assumed the most
alarming aspect ; and as, notwithstanding her habi-
tual self-sufficiency, Anne de Bretagne was by no
means insensible to the affection which her royal
husband had so constantly lavished upon her, she
devoted herself to him in this emergency with the
most exemplary solicitude, seldom absenting herself
from the sickroom save when compelled to do so
by her public duties. For a time, however, her
cares were vain. The disease daily acquired
strength ; and the Court physicians at length reluc-
tantly confessed their inability to arrest its progress.
This declaration fell like a thunderbolt upon the
anxious queen. At one glance she saw and appre-
ciated all the difficulty of her position when Louise
de Savoie should become the mother of the reigning
monarch ; and, resolved not to subject herself to the
insults of a triumphant enemy, she determined to
retire into Brittany the moment that the king had
ceased to live ; as there she could still maintain
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 33
her sovereign state, and enjoy the undivided power
which had always been the dream of her ambition.
Thus, while she still continued to bestow the most
affectionate attentions upon her royal consort, his
apparently desperate condition by no means ab-
sorbed the whole of her reflections ; and she lost
no time in causing all her most costly furniture,
jewels, and every other article of value which, from
having been devoted to her use she considered as
her own property, to be hastily packed up, and
despatched to Nantes by the Loire.
" By St. Yves!" exclaimed the indignant Mare-
chal de Gie, when he learnt the somewhat prema-
ture measures adopted by Anne, " the Breton Dame
never loses her wits where her interests are con-
cerned, but, vrai Dieu ! I will show her that I am
Breton too, and that I know how to perform the
duties of the office that has been entrusted to me.
She is a trifle too hasty in her movements, and has
acted like the wife of a trader rather than that of a
great monarch. Our good and well-beloved king
and master is not yet, perhaps, upon his deathbed,
as she imagines ; and it is somewhat of the earliest
for Madame la Reine to remove, upon her own
authority, and from the royal palaces, effects which
the successor of her husband may reclaim as the
property of the crown."
These impolitic and somewhat intemperate words
were, unfortunately for the fiery Pierre de Rohan,
uttered in the presence of several individuals ; and,
among .others, in that of Madame d'Angouleme
VOL. i 3
34 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
and M. de Pontbriant, the chamberlain of the young
prince ; but, as his zeal had been awakened by his
anxiety to protect the interests of his pupil, and
Pontbriant was his protg> and indebted to him for
the very appointment which he then held, M. de
Gi6 could not anticipate that either would be guilty
of a breach of trust.
His threat was speedily followed up, for, leaving
the apartment with the mien of a chafed lion, he
gave immediate orders for stopping the boats which
the queen 'had freighted upon their passage ; but
he had received his information too late to render
this practicable, as they had passed Amboise before
the news reached him ; when, resolved not to be
thwarted in his design, he no sooner ascertained the
fact than he despatched his mounted men-at-arms to
seize their lading at Namur. The haughty spirit of
the queen, on being apprised of this bold proceed-
ing, was instantly aroused ; and when, contrary to
all expectation, Louis XII. began slowly to recover
from his malady, she availed herself of the increased
influence which she had obtained over him during
his sufferings to represent the conduct of the
governor of Amboise in the darkest colours ; care-
fully avoiding the main subject of her displeasure,
and basing her accusations upon the fact that the
marechal had indulged in insulting reflections, not
only upon herself personally, but also upon the
king, and treated with contemptuous disapproba-
tion many public acts of his government. The
great regard which Louis had long felt for M. de
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST 35
Gie rendered him reluctant to give credence to this
report ; but Anne met his doubts by affirming that
she could produce witnesses to the truth of what
she had advanced ; and thus the king found him-
self compelled to put the marechal upon his trial.
Numerous witnesses appeared against him when
he was cited before the parliament of Toulouse on
the charge of lese-majestt; and among the rest,
Madame d'Angouleme, who, in her thirst for ven-
geance, was arrested neither by the consideration
that the marechal had fallen under the displeasure
of Anne in order to protect the interests of her own
son, nor even by the fact that in her eagerness to
injure M. de Gie she was furthering the views of
a woman whom she hated.
The marechal treated alike the accusation and
the witnesses with haughty contempt ; and the only
reproach which he uttered to Louise de Savoie,
when he perceived that the most virulent of his
accusers were herself and Pontbriant, was contained
in words which cannot fail to remind the reader of
the dying exclamation of Wolsey : " And you too,
Madame ? Had I only served my God as I have
served you I should have little to regret upon my
deathbed."
After numerous deliberations and delays the
parliament ultimately acquitted M. de Gie of the
crime of lese-majestt, but, by a singular inconsist-
ency, which savoured strongly of extraneous influ-
ence an inference which is, moreover, strengthened
by the fact that Anne, whose natural cupidity was
36 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, i
notorious, had employed no less a sum than thirty-
two thousand livres in urging his judges to greater
severity and despatch pronounced that for certain
excesses and other delinquencies the Marechal de
Gie should be deprived of the title and office of
Governor of the Comte d'Angouleme and his com-
mand of the castles of Amboise and Angers ; and
that for the space of five years he should abstain
from the exercise of his functions as Marechal de
France, during which period he should be exiled
from the residences of the Court.
M. de Gie" bore his disgrace as philosophically as
he had borne his prosperity ; and, resigning his for-
feited dignities, retired to Anjou, where he lived
surrounded by splendour and totally indifferent to the
exultation of those who had conspired against him.
The implacable nature of Anne de Bretagne dis-
played itself upon this occasion in a marked manner.
When urged by Pontbriant to suggest that the cul-
prit should be subjected to the question, in order to
compel him to a confession of his crime, she declared
that she had no wish to see him condemned to die,
as were he to lose his head he would soon be un-
conscious of the degradation to which he was now
subjected ; but that, on the contrary, her desire was
that he should live, in order that he might contrast
his present disgrace and insignificance with his
former greatness ; and amid regret, suffering, and
mortification endure a lasting agony which, to his
proud spirit, would be more bitter a hundredfold
than death itself.
CHAP, i FRANCIS THE FIRST
37
Meanwhile her late alarm had rendered her only
the more determined to accomplish her project re-
garding the disposal of Brittany, and to crush the
hopes of Louise de Savoie that her son would one
day inherit her beloved duchy ; and she accordingly
urged on the secret correspondence into which she
had already entered with the son of the Archduke
Philip with increased eagerness and with so much
success that this prince, in conjunction with Maxi-
milian, finally opened a negotiation with Louis XII.
which terminated in the treaty of Blois, by which it
was stipulated that the Princesse Claude, with the
present possession of the counties of Ast, Boulogne,
and Blois, and the duchy of Brittany in perspective,
upon the death of her mother, should be given in
marriage to the young Due de Luxembourg.
This matrimonial compact was a fatal blow to
the ambition of Louise de Savoie and the pros-
pects of her son. Madame d'Angouleme had, until
that moment, never ceased to flatter herself that
upon a point so vital to the interests of the nation,
as well as so interesting to his own feelings, the
will and wishes of the king must ultimately pre-
vail ; and now she was fated to witness the failure
of her anticipations ; while Francis, who had long
considered the infant princess as his destined wife,
not only found himself robbed of his bride, but saw
his future kingdom shorn of some of its most im-
portant and valuable provinces.
CHAPTER II
1504-7
Marguerite de Valois asked in marriage by Henry VII. Refusal of Louis
XII. Marguerite married to the Due d'Alen9on Her reluctance
Motives of the king Her writings Relapse of Louis XII. Death of
Isabella of Spain Marriage of Germaine de Foix with Ferdinand of
Castile The States - General assembled Francis betrothed to the
Princesse Claude Death of the Archduke Philip Jeanne la Folle The
Pope determines on war Character of Julius II. Louis sends an army
to Bologna Genoa revolts Wanton cruelties perpetrated by the Genoese
Louis proceeds to Italy at the head of a large army Genoa capitulates
Louis XII. takes possession of the city A Court festival Dancing
bishops Interview between Louis XII. and Ferdinand Gonsalvo de
Cardova Refusal of the Pope to meet Louis XII.
WHEN the failing health of Louis XII. induced the
belief that his life was drawing to its close, the hand
of Marguerite d'Angouleme, the sister of the heir-
presumptive to the throne, was asked by Henry
VII. of England ; but after mature deliberation the
Grand Council declined to sanction the marriage,
being apprehensive, as they affirmed, that it would
involve the two countries in perpetual warfare and
tend to undermine the salic law in France. A
second proposition of the same nature was also de-
clined from similar motives ; while the king himself
opposed her union with Charles of Austria, and
declared his determination to bestow her in mar-
riage upon Charles III., Due d'Alen9on ; a decision
at which the high and already matured spirit of
1504-7 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I 39
Marguerite revolted ; perceiving, as she at once did,
the intellectual inferiority of the man to whom she
should thus be compelled to promise obedience and
respect. It was, consequently, with bitter tears that
she submitted t to the commands of the monarch
and the wishes of her mother ; for she foresaw how
little suited they were to each other, and how cheer-
less was the prospect thus opened before her. The
duke was deficient in all the brilliant qualities for
which Marguerite was herself distinguished, nor did
he even possess the negative merit of appreciating
them in another ; and thus the young princess per-
ceived that she must be sufficient to herself, while
the bright illusion was for ever vanished which had
led her to believe that she should be valued at her
own hearth for the acquirements which it had cost
her so much labour to attain.
The only apparent motive by which Louis XII.
had been impelled to insist upon this ill-assorted
marriage was his desire to terminate a process then
pending between the Due d'Alengon and the Comte
d'Angouleme as the conflicting heirs of Marie
d'Armagnac ; and it was accordingly arranged that
on its celebration the latter should abandon his
claim in favour of his sister, whose dowry thus
amounted to four hundred and fifty thousand livres.
No pecuniary consideration could, however, re-
concile Marguerite to so repugnant a union ; and
when she found it inevitable she declared that
thenceforth she gave her heart to God, as she could
never bestow it upon her husband ; a resolve which
40 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
it was, perhaps, beyond her power to fulfil, for it is
certain that however actually innocent she may have
been she was nevertheless morally guilty, inasmuch
as she carried her predilections beyond the due
bounds of female delicacy and warrantable friend-
ship, although she may never wholly have forgotten
her dignity as a woman and a princess. / Her
attachment to Charles de Montpensier militated,
moreover, against that perfect self-abnegation which
she professed ; while her disgraceful adventure with
Bonnivet, which she has triumphantly recorded in
the fourth tale of the Heptameron, is so far from
redounding to her honour either as a woman or a
wife, that the reader feels the utter impossibility of
its occurrence without a previous levity on her part
which appeared to sanction the indignity to which
she was subjected. Moreover, even her panegyrist
Brantome is betrayed into the confession that "En
fait de joyeusetds et de galanteries, elle montrait
qu elle en savait plus que son pain quotidien" No
marvel, however, when it is remembered that she
was reared by Louise de Savoie, and became the
willing confidante of her brother's gallantries.
Among other frivolities unworthy of so superior a
mind the Duchesse d'Alen^on originated the custom
between friends of opposite sexes which, by autho-
rizing them to style each other allied brothers and
sisters, gave them the privilege of openly declaring
their mutual attachment, to which, whatever might
really be its nature or extent, it was understood that
no scandal was to be attached.
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 41
Even with all due consideration of the lax state of
society in that age, the mind and heart which could
suggest and share in so unseemly a folly and so
immodest an exhibition as this must have been
perverted at the core ; and, as we read, we cease to
wonder and to mourn over the prostitution of her
fine talents, when we remember that so polluted a
stream could produce no current of pure and health-
ful fancy.
In other respects the character of the Princesse
Marguerite did credit to her mother's training.
With all the natural energy of Madame d'Angouleme,
she had more self-control ; and it was only in
moments of great excitement that she suffered
herself to be betrayed into any exhibition of un-
womanly vehemence ; while her devotion to those
she loved was almost chivalric. But her moral
profligacy casts a dark shadow over the brilliancy
of her other and more estimable qualities, by which
they must ever be clouded in the eyes of posterity.
The treaty of marriage between Claude de
France and Charles de Luxembourg had scarcely
been concluded when the king suffered a relapse of
the same malady to which he had so nearly fallen
a victim during the preceding year ; and the Car-
dinal d'Amboise, 1 who foresaw the most dangerous
1 George, Cardinal d'Amboise, was born in 1460, in the castle of
Chaumont-sur- Loire, near Montauban ; and was successively Bishop
of Montauban, Archbishop of Narbonne, Archbishop of Rouen, and,
finally, Cardinal and First Minister of Louis XII. from 1499 to 1510,
the period of his death. It was by his advice that Louis undertook
the conquest of the Milanese. He made strenuous efforts to obtain
the tiara, but was defeated by the Cardinal of Rovera.
42 THE COURT AND REIGN OP CHAP, n
results should it be accomplished, absolved the
king from the fulfilment of his pledge, and induced
him to execute a will, by which he directed that
the Princesse Claude should become the wife of
her cousin, the Comte d'Angouleme, so soon as
their respective ages should render their marriage
practicable ; and appointed the queen and Louise de
Savoie joint regents of the kingdom in the interim.
This testamentary document was drawn up on the
3 ist of May 1505, and contained the following
passage: "Item. We very expressly will and
command that our said daughter make her residence
within our kingdom, without departing hence, until
her marriage with our very dear and beloved
nephew, the Due de Valois, Comte d'Angouleme,
be duly solemnized."
The recovery of the king, however, which shortly
supervened, rendered the will nugatory ; and thus
this extraordinary regency was not fated to take
effect. It will, at the first glance, appear strange
that Anne de Bretagne should offer no opposition
upon this second occasion to the betrothal of her
daughter with Francis, after having so strenuously
laboured hitherto to prevent it ; but those whom she
admitted to her intimacy were well aware that,
although apparently passive, she was as much averse
to it as ever, and as firmly resolved to discountenance
their actual marriage ; a fact which her contribution
of one hundred thousand crowns to the dowry of
the princess sufficed ultimately to prove. The truth
was, that she had by no means lost confidence in
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 43
her final success ; she had not yet relinquished the
hope of again becoming a mother ; and she had
every reason to conclude that Louis XII., having so
unhesitatingly released himself from his solemn
obligation towards Charles de Luxembourg, would,
should he find it expedient to shake off the trammels
of this second engagement, be even less scrupulous
than before ; and she, therefore, continued to pursue
her negotiations with Austria, as though the be-
trothal determined by the monarch was to have no
influence over the ultimate disposal of her daughter.
The death of Isabella of Spain, which took place
during this year, induced Ferdinand to make over-
tures of peace to France ; and, in order to effect
this object, he demanded of Louis the hand of his
beautiful niece, Germaine de Foix, the daughter of
his sister Marie, who had married Jean de Foix,
Vicomte de Narbonne ; and at the same time that he
gave his ambassadors authority to make this demand,
he also accredited them to Francis, the heir-presump-
tive to the throne, believing that Louis was then
near his end. The proposition was accepted, and by
a treaty signed at Blois, on the 1 2th of October, and
destined on this occasion to prove valid, Louis ceded
to his niece his claim to the kingdom of Naples ; on
the condition, however, that should the princess die
without issue, the Neapolitan territories should return
to the crown of France. Ferdinand, on his part,
pledged himself to pay to the French king one hun-
dred thousand ducats annually for the space of ten
years ; while the two monarchs were to ally them-
44 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
selves and their respective interests so closely as
to form, according to their own expression, " two
souls in one body ; " and to render to each other
reciprocal assistance in every emergency without
exception ; Louis XII. to furnish a thousand lances,
and Ferdinand three thousand foot. The Spanish
king moreover bound himself to grant a free pardon
to all the Neapolitans who had embraced the
French cause, and to restore their property.
The marriage was accordingly solemnized ; and
Ferdinand immediately left Spain, and proceeded
to Naples.
Delivered for a time from all prospect of foreign
aggression, Louis applied himself to the internal
economy of his kingdom ; and more desirous than
ever to accomplish the union of his daughter with
Francis, from having discovered the secret, and
therefore more irritating, opposition of the queen,
he caused an assembly of the States - General to
be convened at Tours, which was understood to
originate with the nobles themselves, but where
the counsellors of the king instructed them before-
hand in the role which they were expected to enact;
and directed them to enforce upon the monarch the
expediency of annulling the treaty to which he had
previously bound himself by oath. This done,
Louis repaired to Tours to give them the audience
they had demanded, and received the deputies in
the great hall of Plessis-les -Tours. On the right
hand of the throne were stationed the Cardinals
of Amboise and Narbonne, the chancellor, and a
1 504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 45
number of bishops ; and on the left, the Comte
d'Angouleme, upon whom he had already bestowed
the title of Due de Valois, the princes of the blood,
the principal nobles of the kingdom, the president
of the parliament of Paris, and some of the members
of the council.
Thomas Bricot, a canon of Notre Dame, and
senior deputy of Paris, was selected to open the
proceedings, which he did with considerable elo-
quence ; and after having expressed to his royal
hearer the gratitude of the nation for all the benefits
which his subjects had experienced under his rule
the reduction effected in the public taxes, the
cessation of the formerly unrestrained licentious-
ness of the soldiery, and the reformations which
had taken place in the courts of justice, alike in
Paris and in the provinces he concluded his
harangue thus : " For all these reasons he should
be called Louis XII., the Father of his People!"
Loud acclamations greeted this burst of loyal
affection ; and the king was so much moved by the
general enthusiasm that he could not control his
tears.
When silence was restored, the orator sank upon
his knee, an example which was followed by the
whole of the deputies ; and, in this position, he
resumed : " Sire, we are here by your good plea-
sure, in order to proffer to you a request which
involves the general good of your kingdom ; and
this is, that your very humble subjects beseech
you to bestow Madame, your only daughter, in
46 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
marriage upon Monsieur Francois here present,
who is in all respects a Frenchman."
By order of the king, the Chancellor Gui de
Rochefort 1 replied to the States' deputies, inform-
ing them that his majesty would confer with the
princes of the blood upon the subject of the pro-
posed alliance ; and the assembly was then ad-
journed to the following day, when Louis, with
a feigned reluctance which he was far from feeling,
announced that "he condescended to their demand
and request," and desired that the betrothal of the two
children should take place on the second day from
that time, which was the Feast of the Ascension.
The youthful pair were accordingly solemnly affi-
anced by the Cardinal d'Amboise in the presence of
the whole Court ; and, previous to the ceremony, the
chancellor read aloud the marriage articles, which
secured to the Princesse Claude, even in the event
of sons being subsequently born to the king, the
counties of Ast and Blois, the lordships of Soissons
and Coucy, and one hundred thousand crowns, given,
as we have already stated, by the queen.
Thus, long after she had despaired of such a
triumph, Madame d'Angouleme witnessed her son's
betrothal to the daughter of his sovereign, and
saw him publicly recognized as heir-presumptive
to the crown ; and, had she not been compelled
to look through so long a perspective of time
1 Gui de Rochefort, Seigneur de Pleuvant in Burgundy, was the
chamberlain and counsellor of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy,
and afterwards passed into the service of Louis XI. Charles VIII.
made him chancellor of France.
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 47
for at this period Francis had only attained his
fourteenth and Claude her fourth year even her
restless ambition would have been satisfied.
The bad faith exhibited by Louis XII. in this
uncompromising violation of a solemn treaty, and
the ambiguous manner in which he sought to ex-
cuse himself to the Austrian Court, in an autograph
letter which he addressed to Guillaume de Croy,
Sire de Chievres, 1 to whom Philip had confided
the government of the Low Countries during his
absence in England, and in which he declared that
he had liberated himself from his engagement " for
reasons which would be too long to relate," con-
vinced its recipient that a war must necessarily
ensue between France and his own sovereign ; and
he accordingly took instant measures to fortify his
frontier; but Philip, whose position in Spain was
precarious, and who feared to engage in foreign
hostilities while still contending with his father-in-
law for the possession of Castile, replied evasively
to the announcement which he received of the
betrothal of the Princesse Claude to Francis ;
asserting that he could not express any sentiment
upon the subject " until he had first communicated
1 Guillaume de Croy, Seigneur de Chievres, Due de Soria, and
Knight of the Golden Fleece, was the descendant of an ancient
family, which derived its name from the village of Croy, in Picardy.
He became celebrated for his military prowess, during the reigns of
Charles VIII. and Louis XII. He was the governor of Charles of
Austria, afterwards Emperor of Germany. Having allied himself
to the fortunes of that prince, he was sent to Spain in the quality of
viceroy ; but, while holding that important trust, he tarnished his
reputation by the most extortionate exactions. He died at Worms in
1521.
48 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
and consulted with the king his father, and the
King of Aragon his father-in-law, whom it con-
cerned." The letter terminated with fervent ex-
pressions of attachment to the person of the French
monarch, but afforded no clue to the real feelings
of the writer upon the point in question.
The death of the Archduke Philip, who perished
of pestilential fever at Burgos, on the 25th of
September 1506, at the age of twenty-eight years,
and only three months after his entry into Castile,
suspended for a time all the warlike demonstrations
which were beginning to develop themselves. The
miserable and morbid state of mind of his widow,
Jeanne la Folle, elder daughter of Isabella the
Catholic, in right of whom she inherited the king-
dom, necessitated the election of a more efficient
governor. The condition of Queen Joanna was
indeed deplorable, and forbade all hope of her
ever again being enabled to assume the functions
of a sovereign. Weak and suspicious, as well as
jealous to a fearful excess, she had seldom, during
the lifetime of her husband, left the suite of apart-
ments appropriated to her use ; where, incapable
of pursuing any occupation or amusement, she
passed her time in wandering through the rooms,
uttering incoherent menaces, and occasionally in-
dulging in still more incoherent bursts of grief.
The death of Philip had confirmed this incipient
madness. She caused his body to be embalmed,
and laid upon a bed of state in her own chamber,
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 49
dressed in the most magnificent manner ; while she
sat beside it, with her eyes fixed upon the motion-
less countenance, waiting for the first sign of that
returning life which she believed was by some
miracle to be restored to him. Her jealousy still
continued as great as ever ; and from the period
of the embalmment of the corpse she suffered no
female to enter the room in which he lay. Nor did
she falter in her task even for an instant ; it was in
vain that she was entreated to open despatches,
authorize orders, or sign state documents ; she an-
swered every appeal by pointing with her attenu-
ated finger towards the lifeless body, and briefly
uttering, " Wait ! "
The helpless condition of her children awakened
all the best sympathies of Louis XII., and he caused
a letter to be written to Margaret of Austria, in
which he declared that he was willing to treat the
sons of Philip as though they were his own. Maxi-
milian, however, asserted that to him alone belonged
the guardianship of his grandson, Charles de Lux-
embourg, who, in default of his mother, must be
recognized as King of Castile ; while Ferdinand,
who had learnt the death of his son-in-law at Genoa,
continued his route to Naples, calculating that the
confusion which must exist in the kingdom at such
a juncture would materially conduce to his own
popularity and welcome.
The calm was not, however, destined to be of
long continuance, for while Spain, Germany, and
France were passively awaiting the progress of
VOL. i 4
50 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
events, Julius II., who filled the pontifical see, and
who, in addition to his restless and warlike tastes,
felt, or affected, as much contempt as dislike towards
the two latter nations, which he qualified with the
title of "barbarians," resolved to take the initiative,
and to restore to the Church all the domains which
had from time to time been wrested from it. His
first object was the subjugation of Venice, as the
most arrogant and the most powerful of those states
which had openly declared their independence ; but
the cause which he had most at heart was the de-
struction of the French interest throughout Italy.
The costume which had been adopted by the
sovereign-pontiff, his flowing beard and bent figure,
gave him an appearance of extreme old age, al-
though, according to one of his historians, he had
at this period only reached his sixty-third year ; but
his mind was still strong and clear, and his passions
violent. Haughty, irascible, and unscrupulous, he
was nevertheless brave, judicious, and full of love
for his country ; but the clerical habit sat loosely
upon him, while his fingers clutched firmly the hilt
of the sabre or the bridle of the war-horse. As a
warrior Julius II. would have been a hero ; as a pope
he was only a licentious and grasping churchman.
Having raised both money and troops, the chagrin
of Julius was excessive upon finding that a treaty
into which he had induced Louis XII. to enter with
Maximilian, for their joint invasion of the Venetian
territory a treaty which had, moreover, been sub-
sequently renewed at Cambray was set aside by
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 51
the more recent alliance formed between the French
king and Ferdinand ; a circumstance which com-
pelled him to abandon for a time the reduction
of the Venetians and the recovery of the cities
of Faenza and Rimini, of which, upon the ' death
of Caesar Borgia, they had possessed themselves.
Nevertheless he resolved not to delay the punish-
ment of other delinquents, who had flung the yoke
of the papal government from their necks ; and the
first against whom he directed his arms were Jean
Paul Baglioni, the hereditary sovereign of Perousa,
and Jean Bentivoglio, who held a similar sway over
Bologna, two of the most powerful cities of the
pontifical states. The latter had purchased the pro-
tection of France by the payment of a considerable
tribute, and might therefore justly anticipate the aid
of that country in an emergency like the present ;
the rather, moreover, that Bologna, over which his
family had reigned for more than a century, was
esteemed essential to the defence of the Milanese ;
but Julius was not to be deterred by this considera-
tion, and, resolved at once to assert his own will
and the authority of the Church, he called upon
Louis to furnish him with troops and upon the
Venetians to remain neuter.
Taken by surprise, both the one and the other
agreed to his demands against their better judg-
ment ; and the warlike pontiff left Rome on the
2/th of August at the head of four hundred men-at-
arms, and with a suite of twenty-four cardinals. He
found no enemy to combat, however, in Baglioni,
52 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
who, terrified at his approach, advanced as far as
Orvieto to meet him, and placed himself in his
hands ; a confidence which was repaid by the
Pope on his entrance into Perousa on the i3th of
September by the restoration of his patrimonial
property, with permission to reside as a private
citizen in the city which he had hitherto ruled,
while to the city itself he restored its republican
administration under the control and direction of
the holy see. The Prince Bentivoglio proved less
amenable to the pontifical pleasure, and calculated
upon that assistance from France for which he had
paid so heavy a price ; nor is it doubtful that Louis
himself, on recovering from his first panic at the un-
foreseen movement of the Pope, would have willingly
afforded it ; as on hearing that Julius had announced
in public that he could calculate upon the support of
the French monarch in his attack upon Bologna,
Louis vehemently denied that he had given any
pledge to that effect. The Cardinal d'Amboise,
however, who was anxious to avoid a rupture with
the Pope, so worked upon his mind that, once more
falsifying a solemn engagement, he gave orders to
M. de Chaumont, 1 his lieutenant-general in the
1 Charles d'Amboise, Seigneur de Chaumont, lieutenant-general
of the army in the Milanese at the age of twenty-five years, and
grand-master, was the nephew of the Cardinal d'Amboise, by whom
he was entirely governed. Naturally brave, he never ceded an inch
of the territory confided to his charge, but made several conquests
both in that kingdom and Venice. He nevertheless committed two
serious errors : the one in permitting Chapin Vitelli and the Venetian
reinforcement to enter Bologna, while he wasted a day in endeavour-
ing to negotiate a peace, and lost the opportunity of occupying the
city, and reinstating the Bentivogli ; and the other, when he suffered
i 5 o 4 -7 FRANC 'IS THE FIRST 53
Milanese, to march upon Bologna with a force of
six hundred lances and three thousand Swiss ; and
thus pressed on the one hand by the army of the
Pope and on the other by that of his anticipated
ally, Bentivoglio had no resource save to take refuge
with his family in the French camp ; to abandon a
principality which he had inherited from his an-
cestors ; and ultimately to accept an asylum in
Milan, which, together with a guarantee for the
preservation of his property, was tendered to him
by Chaumont. Julius II. established at Bologna, as
he had previously done at Perousa, a government
which was almost republican, and which continued
to support itself in all its integrity until the close of
the eighteenth century.
The revolt of Genoa, which had been annexed
to the crown of France at the same time as the
duchy of Milan, immediately supervened, and
Chaumont had no sooner interdicted all communi-
cation between that city and Lombardy, while Yves
d'Allegre marched upon Monaco in order to compel
the Genoese to raise the siege of the fortress, than
the rebels, thus driven to engage in an open and
decided warfare with France, calculated upon the
assistance of their allies to enable them to sustain
so unequal a conflict. The Pope was their country-
man, and, as they well knew, favourable to their
interests ; while Maximilian had already warned
Louis not to molest the Genoese, whom he re-
Miranda to be taken, in spite of the resolute defence which it was
making, and from motives of avarice dissolved the Italian bands.
He died at the age of thirty-eight years.
54 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
garded as members of the empire : thus, believing
themselves secure, they threw off the authority of
France, and in compliance with their ancient custom,
elected a new doge from among their own citizens,
one Paul de Novi, a silk dyer by trade, and a man
of extraordinary judgment, vigour, and decision.
Louis XII., enraged by the wanton and barbar-
ous cruelties exercised against the French prisoners
who fell into the hands of the enemy, and whom they
crucified, mutilated, and tortured, without distinction
of age or sex, and, moreover, convinced that he
owed the revolt to the machinations of the Emperor
Maximilian and the Pope, at once placed himself at
the head of an army of fifty thousand men ; and,
accompanied by the Dues de Bourbon, Alen9on,
and Lorraine, proceeded in person to attack the
rebels. The royal forces had no sooner reached
the entrance of the mountains of Genoa than the
troops whom Paul de Novi had entrusted with the
defence of the defiles fled before them, and the
French encamped without opposition in the valley
of Polsevera. Still, however, the city itself was
enabled to offer a formidable resistance ; its natural
resources being so great as to render it impregnable
at a period when war had not yet become a science ;
and the generals of Louis XII. were prepared for
a long and murderous campaign. But Genoa was
already divided against herself; intestine contentions
had sapped her strength ; the wealthy citizens, ap-
prehensive that should the city be captured it would
be delivered over to pillage, refused to offer any
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 55
resistance ; while the lower orders, who had eagerly
taken up arms in the hope of profit, upon finding
themselves forsaken by their leaders, lost courage ;
and although one body of men fought bravely on the
height of the Belvidere, and had even, by their pre-
parations for defence, caused considerable anxiety to
Louis, it was a solitary effort, which was frustrated
through the valour and intrepidity of Bayard, 1 who
having been appointed equerry to the king had ac-
companied him in this expedition, while still suffering
from the effects of a wound received at Garigliano.
The defeat of this outpost, upon which great
hopes had been based, was so complete and so rapid
that it struck terror into the garrison of the citadel,
who immediately abandoned their post; and although
the Genoese made a vigorous attempt to retake it
they were repulsed, and thus found themselves com-
pelled to send deputies to the French king to
announce their submission, while Paul de Novi
evacuated the city with a strong body of his com-
panions in arms.
On the 29th of April, Louis entered the conquered
city on horseback, with his drawn sword in his hand,
while the magistrates and people received him on
their knees, holding olive branches and uttering
loud cries for mercy. They were answered by a
promise of pardon, but that pardon was far from
1 Pierre du Terrail, Seigneur de Bayard, surnamed " The Knight
without fear and without reproach," was born near Grenoble, in
1476. This brave and loyal captain distinguished himself greatly
during the wars of Italy. He defended Mezieres, and died on the
retreat from Romagnano, in 1525.
56 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, n
unconditional, seventy-nine individuals having been
exempted from the amnesty and hanged upon
gibbets erected in the public streets ; while the
city, although protected from pillage, was con-
demned to a fine of three hundred thousand florins,
equal to half the amount of the national taxes
of France one hundred thousand of which were,
however, remitted, in consequence of the utter
inability of the citizens to meet the demand ; but in
lieu thereof a strong fortress named Codifa was con-
structed near the outworks at their expense ; all
their privileges, as well as their treaty with France,
were committed to the flames, and a new munici-
pality was finally established ; while, on the 5th of
June following, Paul de Novi, who had taken refuge
in Corsica, and Demetrius Giustiniani, another of
their generals, were also executed. Louis then dis-
banded his army, and with a small suite proceeded
to Milan, "where," says the Loyal Servant, " Gian
Giacopo Trivulzio, called by the French the Sire
Jean Jacques de Trivulce, 1 gave him one of the
1 Jean Jacques Trivulce, Marquis de Vigevano, was the represen-
tative of an ancient Milanese family, and embraced the profession of
arms. He entered the service of Ferdinand I. of Aragon, King of
Naples, and afterwards passed into that of Charles VIII. of France,
when that prince undertook the conquest of the Milanese. It was
he who delivered up Capua in 1495, an d who shared the command
of the vanguard with the Mardchal de Gid at the battle of Fernoua.
Appointed lieutenant-general of the French army in Lombardy, he
took Alessandrie, and defeated the forces of Ludovic Sforza, Duke of
Milan. He followed Louis XII. to the conquest of the Milanese in
1499, and distinguished himself by his bravery. The king confided
to him the government of that duchy in 1500, and conferred upon
him the b&ton of Mardchal de France. Trivulce fought with honour
at the battle of Agnadello ; but, by his unpardonable negligence,
caused the defeat of Novara. He was of great assistance to Francis
1504-7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 57
grandest feasts that ever was beheld in the house of
a private nobleman ; for, from all one can learn, there
were present at it more than five hundred guests,
not including ladies, of whom there were a hundred
or a hundred and twenty ; and it was impossible to
be better entertained than they were, with dishes of
the first and of the second course, with farces, plays,
and other pastimes." Moreover, another historian
informs us that at this entertainment " the king
opened the ball with the Marchioness of Mantua,
and that the Cardinals of Narbonne and St. Severin
were among the dancers."
Such an assurance appears startling until we
remember that the higher churchmen of that period
emancipated themselves without scruple from all the
trammels of their holy calling ; and thus, while the
cardinals above named joined in the bransle, the
Bishop of Liege, another of the thirty prelates who
had accompanied the monarch to Genoa, was study-
ing the art of war, which he afterwards practised so
skilfully in the cause of Charles V.
From Milan Louis XII. proceeded to Savona, in
order to have an interview with Ferdinand, who was
about to resume the government of Castile, vacant
by the early death of the Archduke Philip. The
Spanish sovereign was accompanied by his young
wife, by Germaine de Foix and Gonsalvo de Cor-
dova, of whose popularity he had become so jealous
that he feared to leave him at Naples. The admira-
I. during the war of Italy in 1515, and was in the field at Marignano.
He died in 1518.
$8 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, n
tion and respect which Louis entertained for this
great captain were shown in the reception which he
gave him ; nor did he appear to remember how
greatly he had suffered through the very qualities
which elicited his regard. At his request the high-
est honour which could then be accorded to a subject
was conceded to Gonsalvo, who was permitted to
occupy a seat at the royal table ; while towards his
niece the French king exhibited a warmth of affec-
tion which, however it might tend to advance the
interests of her husband, was far from pleasing to
his nobility, towards whom she conducted herself
with singular haughtiness and disrespect, not even
excepting her brother, the young Due de Nemours ;
showing herself, upon every occasion, as inimical to
the French as though she had been born of another
and an antagonistic nation.
Louis had been desirous, during his sojourn in
Italy, to secure an interview with the Pope ; but
although the restless and ambitious prelate had
availed himself of the French arms to subdue
Bologna, and was even contemplating a fresh
demand upon their services for the reduction of
the Venetians, he affected to feel aggrieved and
degraded by what he designated the introduction of
the barbarians into Italy ; and, consequently, when
the Cardinal d'Amboise solicited him to remain at
Bologna in order, to receive the French king, he
immediately departed for Rome, it being no part of
his policy to conciliate where it was his ambition to
command.
CHAPTER III
1508-12
Julius II. endeavours to subjugate Venice The Venetians attempt to pro-
pitiate Germany and Spain Treaty between the Four Great Powers
The French army re-enters Italy Battle of Agnadello Success of
Louis XII. Despair of the Venetians Weakness of Maximilian The
Venetians take Padua The Swiss desert Flight of the Emperor Louis
returns to France Hostility of the Pope towards France Defection of
Ferdinand Louis threatened with excommunication The Pope pro-
ceeds with his army to Mirandola Heroic defence of the Countess
Francesca Pico Death of the Cardinal d'Amboise The Pope enters
into a league with England and Spain Gallantry of Gaston de Foix
Victory of Ravenna Death of Gaston de Foix The French return to
the Milanese.
INTENT upon the subjugation of Venice, Julius II.,
conscious of the unpopularity of that republic with
the other European states, craftily endeavoured to
increase the general feeling of dislike and suspicion
which had been excited by her arrogance and pros-
perity into jealousy and disgust ; nor was it difficult
for him to attain his object. By her downfall every
neighbouring kingdom became more or less aggran-
dized ; and thus, having previously demanded from
the senate the restoration of the possessions of the
Church in Romagna, a demand with which he
was aware they would not comply, and, by their
refusal, secured the pretext which he desired for
commencing hostilities, he addressed himself simul-
60 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
taneously to Louis, Maximilian, and Ferdinand,
pointing out the several advantages to be secured
by each when they should have conquered the
haughty republic against which they were leagued.
His proposition was eagerly accepted ; ambition and
cupidity alike tended to render it palatable ; pleni-
potentiaries were appointed, and on the pretext of
arranging the settlement of the Low Countries they
met at Cambray in October 1508, and in the course
of December the stipulations of the treaty were
concluded.
Meanwhile the Venetians, who had been made
acquainted that a league was forming against them,
despatched an ambassador to Louis to expostulate
with him upon this breach of faith ; while they
endeavoured to propitiate both Maximilian and
Ferdinand, and solicited help on all sides, but in-
effectually ; and they at length boldly resolved to
brave the danger unaided, perilous as it appeared.
One of the conditions of this treaty stipulated
that the French king should enter the Venetian ter-
ritories forty days before any of the other sovereigns
took the field ; an arrangement which, however sus-
picious it appeared, did not deter Louis XII. from
his project ; and immediately (at the close of Easter
1509) he placed himself once more at the head of
his finest mounted troops, amounting -to a force of
twenty thousand men, an equal number of Swiss, and
a strong body of infantry, and descended into Italy.
The first division of his army was commanded by
1 5o8-i 2 FRANCIS THE FIRST 61
Trivulzio and Chaumont ; the second by the king
in person ; and the third, or rear-guard, by FranQois,
Due de Longueville ; while a number of the most
distinguished captains of France, either in that or
any subsequent age, followed his banner. It was
indeed a gathering of her best chivalry ; for they
numbered among them Charles de Bourbon, the
future Connetable ; Gaston de Foix, fated to die so
early and so honourably ; Robert de la Mark, the
Marquis de la Palice, the Scottish hero D'Aubigny,
Bayard, and many other individuals of note ; in-
cluding the Seigneurs de Molart, Richemont, Va"n-
denesse, and La Crote, the Comte de Roussillon,
the Captain Odet, and the Cadet de Duras, who
were each accompanied by their separate band of
followers.
The royal army passed the Adda without mo-
lestation, but were compelled to retreat before the
Count di Pitigliano, who drove out the French
garrisons of Trevi and Rivolta, and sacked both
those cities, a fact which decided Louis imme-
diately to force the Venetians to an engagement.
The rashness of their general, D'Alviano, seconded
his wishes, despite the opposition of Pitigliano, who
refused to act in concert with him, and actually re-
treated with a portion of his cavalry. The admir-
able position of D'Alviano's troops enabled him to
make a very successful attack, the nature of the
ground not permitting the French horse to lend
any efficient aid ; and, for a brief interval, the main
body, or battle as it was then called, which was led
62 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
by Louis in person, was in considerable jeopardy;
when a skilful movement of the rear-guard, com-
manded by Bayard, robbed the enemy of their
advantage, and enabled the cavalry to advance to
their support. D'Alviano fought with desperation,
and was severely wounded several times during the
conflict ; but it was not until he saw fourteen 01^
fifteen thousand of his best troops lying dead upon
the field that he suffered himself to be made pri-
soner by the young Seigneur de Vandenesse, and
conducted to the lodging of the king. This battle,
so glorious to the French arms, took place in a
village called Agnadello, on the i4th of May 1509.
Success continued to attend the French army ;
and although Louis remained a couple of days upon
the field, he had, within a fortnight, possessed him-
self of the districts of Ghiara d'Adda and Cara-
vaggio. On the i/th of May Bergamo sent the
keys of the city and laid them at his feet, while
the citadel only held out three days longer. Cara-
vaggio was taken by assault, its inhabitants hanged
from the battlements ; and not only the garrison,
but even the citizens of Peschiera, which had at-
tempted to defend itself, were put to the sword
without exception, although some among them
offered a heavy ransom for their, lives. Louis
XII., exasperated by their opposition, refused all
mercy, declaring that he would, by striking terror
into his enemies, preserve himself from all future
attempts at rebellion a resolution which was re-
ceived with much dissatisfaction by his nobility,
1 5o8-i2 FRANCIS THE FIRST 63
who were indignant to see gentle blood thus wan-
tonly spilled by the desecrating hand of the execu-
tioner. Brescia, Crema, and the fortress of Pizzi-
ghettona were his next conquests ; and, finally, the
citadel of Cremona, having held out for fifteen days
after the city had surrendered, capitulated in its
turn. Thus, before the termination of the month,
Louis XII. once more found himself in possession
of all that portion of the Venetian territory which
had been apportioned to him by the treaty of Cam-
bray, and which augmented the royal revenues of
the duchy of Milan by the enormous sum of two
hundred thousand ducats.
The haughty republic, reduced to utter despair,
used every effort to propitiate the powers which
were leagued against her ; and Louis, although his
own task was ended, remained two months longer
in Italy, in order to watch the progress of events.
The Pope at once rejected the overtures of the
humbled senate, and only replied to their petition
by sending an army into Romagna, under the com-
mand of his nephew, Francesco-Maria de la Rovera, 1
Duke d'Urbino, who in the course of a few days
made himself master of Faenza, Rimini, Ravenna,
and Cervia ; while Maximilian, who had hitherto
1 Francesco-Maria de la Rovera was one of the greatest captains
of the age, and was the representative of an illustrious Italian family,
which owed its original celebrity to the fact that it gave two popes
to Rome, viz., Sixtus IV. and Julius II., the latter of whom obtained
for his brother the hand of the daughter of the Duke of Urbino, and
caused his nephew, the subject of the present note, to be adopted by
the last Duke of Urbino, of the family of Montefeltro. He married
Eleonora Hippolyta de Gonzago, and died by poison in 1538, aged
forty-eight years.
64 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
been delayed by want of funds from aggressive
measures, prepared to attack Trevisa; which had,
however, through his enforced tardiness, secured
time for resistance. The King of Spain obtained
by cession both Brindici and Otranto in his own
kingdom of Naples ; and the keys of Verona,
Vicenza, and Padua, which had been delivered to
Louis, were by him transferred to the emperor.
The Duke of Ferrara, who had joined the invading
armies on the 3Oth of May, possessed himself with-
out resistance of Polesina de Rovigo, Este, Mon-
tagnana, and Monselica, the ancient patrimony of
his family ; and the Marquis of Mantua occupied
Asola and Lunato, which had been adjudged to
him. Finally, Ferdinand had at last undertaken
the siege of Trani, and the Venetians had ordered
their generals to deliver up to the Spaniards all the
territory which they still held in the kingdom of
Naples.
Venice, thus dismembered, was considered to be
totally subjugated. The weakness and vacillation
of Maximilian, however, tended once more to give
them hope. He had no army ; all his monetary
resources, great as they had recently been, were
utterly exhausted ; while, too suspicious to entrust
his ministers with the conduct of public affairs, and
professing to be sufficient to himself, no one could
fathom his ultimate designs, and thus all his
measures were futile and perplexed, and he spent
his time in hurrying from one frontier to the other,
harassing his attendants and accomplishing nothing.
1508-12 FRANCIS THE FIRST 65
On receiving the keys of Padua he had sent only
eight hundred lansquenets to form its garrison, a
force totally inadequate to such a duty, the city
being six miles in circumference ; and the Venetians
were no sooner apprised of this fact than they
determined to retake it, which they did by strata-
gem and with great bloodshed, the lansquenets
destroying about fifteen hundred of the citizens
and soldiery before they were themselves killed to
a man.
The Count di Pitigliano was immediately ap-
prised of this event, and, with the survivors of
Agnadello, hastened to throw himself into the city,
exerting all his energies to repair and fortify it, and
resolving to defend it to the last a resolution which
enraged the tardy Maximilian, who vowed to go
thither in person and avenge himself; but when he
arrived before the gates he found himself without
men, money, or courage to undertake such a task
single-handed ; and accordingly he applied to Louis
for assistance, who, being on the point of recrossing
the Alps on his return to France, did not allow the
temporary prosperity of the Venetians to delay his
journey, but contented himself with leaving on the
frontier of Verona five hundred French lances, under
the command of the Marquis de la Palice, with
orders to march to the succour of the emperor
should he require their aid ; a concession to which
he was influenced by the hope that Maximilian,
crippled for want of money, might be induced to sell
to him Verona and its dependent territory to the
VOL. i 5
66
banks of the Adige, which he was desirous to secure
as a safe frontier to the duchy of Milan.
Chancing to encounter Bayard as he was quitting
the castle to obey these orders, M. de la Palice
invited him to join the expedition, to which he joy-
fully consented. The departure of Louis had, how-
ever, inspired the Venetians with new confidence ;
they materially strengthened the garrison of Padua,
retook Vicenza, and were marching upon Verona
when the French general compelled them to retreat
and once more to evacuate Vicenza ; but the courage
and success of the French captains were neutralized
by the imbecile conduct of Maximilian, who, full of
great projects, suffered present opportunity to escape
him. Moreover, the Swiss mercenaries, who formed
a very considerable portion of his force, deserted in
great numbers ; and he at length abandoned all
further effort, and, with a pusillanimity which dis-
gusted his whole army, decamped suddenly in the
night with a few of his personal attendants, leaving
his generals to raise the siege and retreat as they
best could.
On the return of Louis XII. to France the queen
advanced as far as Grenoble to welcome him, ac-
companied by the Due de Valois, and his sister
Marguerite, an attention to which she was the rather
urged by the peculiarity of her position, which
enabled her to render it the more marked and wel-
come to Louis, for Anne de Bretagne was once
more full of hope. She was about again to become
a mother, and she was anxious to rejoin her royal
1508-12 FRANCIS THE FIRST 67
husband before her hour of trial and, as she trusted,
of triumph also, should arrive. The result, however,
offered only a new disappointment in the birth of a
second princess, Madame R6nee de France. The
king did not, as had been anticipated, take up his
residence in the capital, but proceeded at once to
Blois, and, merely visiting Paris at long intervals,
held his Court at the former place, or at Tours,
Bourges, and Lyons, occasionally making a brief
sojourn in Normandy or Brittany. Nor had he
long returned to his own kingdom before he began
to experience great inconvenience and uneasiness
from the effects of the treaty of Cambray. The
Pope, whom he had in some degree constrained to
second his views, had never forgiven what he con-
sidered as the undue and excessive exercise of his
power ; while he was compelled to perceive that he
had destroyed the equilibrium of Italy by subjecting
the Neapolitans to the supremacy of Spain and
putting the Germans in possession of Venice. The
Swiss had, moreover, demanded from Louis an in-
crease of pay, to which he was unwilling to accede
a circumstance which encouraged Julius to make an
effort to detach them from his service ; and in this
attempt he readily succeeded through the medium
of a crafty churchman named Matthew Scheiner,
the nephew of the Bishop of Sion, whom he created
cardinal under the same title, and whose impassioned
eloquence and martial spirit soon enabled him to
induce a belief among them that a war with Louis
XII. would be as acceptable in the eyes of heaven
63 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
as a crusade against the infidels. It was not long,
therefore, ere they consented to make a descent
upon Italy as the servants of the Church, and thus
the French king saw himself not only deprived of
their assistance but even called upon to include
them among his enemies.
Ferdinand, true to his treacherous and truckling
character, having made his profit of the treaty of
Cambray, renounced it without a single scruple, and
entered into a league with the Pope, urging upon his
son-in-law the King of England the expediency of fol-
lowing his example, and accepting from the warlike
pontiff a full investiture of the kingdom of Naples.
Thoroughly awakened to a sense of the evil
which threatened him on all sides, Louis would
gladly have taken the field and defied the Pope and
his allies with the single aid of Maximilian ; but the
instability of that prince rendered such a measure
hazardous, and he consequently resolved, as a more
judicious medium, to call a council of his own pre-
lates at Tours, and to demand of them if Julius II.
had the right to levy a war of which neither religion
nor the interests of the Church were the ostensible
objects, or if opposition to a conflict purely secular
in its interests might not be righteous. The reply
of the council was favourable to his wishes ; the
king was authorized by its unanimous voice to act
on the offensive as well as the defensive, and was,
moreover, assured that any papal excommunication
which the war might induce would be null and void ;
while, in addition to this solemn decision, they
1 5o8-i 2 FRANCIS THE FIRST 69
raised a large subsidy on the Church possessions in
furtherance of his views.
Meanwhile the Pope, who appeared to disregard
both his age and his infirmities where his ambition
was enlisted, and who was extremely anxious to re-
possess himself of the duchy of Ferrara, assembled
a considerable army, and, in the midst of one of the
most severe winters which had ever been experi-
enced in Italy, proceeded in person to Mirandola,
where he forgot for a time the churchman in the
soldier, encouraged and superintended the labourers
in the trenches, and, to the dismay of the cardinals
by whom he was accompanied, not only directed the
planting of the artillery but even commanded the
assaults, and exposed himself with the greatest
recklessness until a breach was effected, which,
owing to the moat being deeply frozen, rendered all
further defence on the part of the besieged impos-
sible. On arriving at Santo Felice, a large village
near Mirandola, Julius had despatched a herald to
the Countess Francesca, the natural daughter of
Gian Giacopo Trivulgio, and widow of Ludovico
Pico, to summon her to deliver up the city into his
hands, but she resolutely refused to betray her
trust, nor was it until the breach was effected that
she surrendered.
From Mirandola the Pope turned his arms against
Ferrara, and again attacked Bologna, but, failing in
his attempt, returned to Ravenna.
The death of the Cardinal d'Amboise, which oc-
curred at Lyons on the 25th of May 1510, where
70 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
Louis XII. was then holding his Court in order to
keep a strict eye upon the events transpiring in
Italy, was a heavy blow to the French monarch,
who resolved thenceforward to govern in his own
person a determination which proved fatal to his
administration ; and meanwhile the Pope perfected
a league which he dignified with the title of " Holy,"
and in which he prevailed upon Ferdinand to join
and on Henry VIII. to accede, while the Swiss
were engaged to attack the Milanese.
Louis XII. met this emergency with a kingly
spirit ; his army in Italy was augmented, and he
made every preparation for resisting the combina-
tion which had been formed against him. Gaston
de Foix, Due de Nemours, his nephew, was ap-
pointed general of his forces, although yet a mere
youth who had not attained his twenty-third year,
and the result justified the confidence which had
been placed in him. He saved Bologna, which the
papal troops were about to besiege ; and had not
his little army been exhausted by forced marches in
the most inclement weather, would have had an
opportunity of utterly defeating the combined forces
of the league. He had, however, scarcely taken
possession of Bologna when he learnt that the city
of Brescia had been treacherously delivered over to
the Venetians, and that the garrison was incapable
of long resistance ; upon which, with incredible
exertion and fatigue, he hastened to the rescue of
that place ; fought two battles, achieved two vie-
1508-12 FRANCIS THE FIRST 71
tories, and on arriving before the gates summoned
the city to surrender, being anxious if possible to
avoid further slaughter. The summons was, how-
ever, disregarded, although the citizens were desirous
that it should be complied with ; the attack com-
menced, and the carnage which ensued was fearful.
The Venetians fought desperately, but in vain. The
city was taken, the garrison and population put to
the sword, and the town delivered up to all the
horrors of pillage and violence. Bayard fell
wounded by a pike through the thigh, which
broke in the wound, and was borne to the rear
by two archers ; the citizens, women, and children
harassed the invading troops by hurling bricks and
stones, and even pouring boiling water from the
windows of the houses ; but ultimately between
seven and eight thousand of the Venetians fell in
action, or were butchered as they attempted to
escape ; while the loss of the French did not exceed
fifty men. Unhappily, these no sooner saw them-
selves masters of the city than the most brutal
excesses supervened. Monasteries and convents
were invaded, private families were ruined and
disgraced, and the gross booty secured by the
conquerors was estimated at three millions of
crowns a circumstance which ultimately proved
the destruction of the French cause in Italy,
numbers of the individuals thus suddenly enriched
forsaking their posts and returning to their homes ;
enfeebling the army of De Foix, and conducing to
the fatal termination of the battle of Ravenna.
72 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
Apprehensive, despite the brilliant commence-
ment of this campaign, that the coalition formed
against him might prove too powerful to admit of
his ultimate success, Louis XII. forwarded instruc-
tions to the young prince to compel the enemy to a
speedy engagement before the impression produced
by his recent good fortune had time to become
weakened ; and, in obedience to this command, the
duke advanced upon Ravenna by Finale and
Modena ; but his eagerness to engage the army
of the league was not greater than the determina-
tion of Raymond de Cardona, the Viceroy of
Naples, 1 to evade the encounter. Near Bologna
he was joined by the Duke of Ferrara, whom he
appointed, in conjunction with La Palice, to the
command of the vanguard ; and this arrangement
made, he advanced to Castel St. Piero, where he
was met by the combined armies of the Pope and
the King of Spain. The Cardinal de' Medici (after-
wards Leo X.) was the supreme head of the adverse
forces, of which the military command was entrusted
to Cardona, Fabrizio Colonna, 2 and the Marquis de
Pescara.
" They formed one of the finest armies for its
size," says the Loyal Servant, " that hath ever been
1 Raymond de Cardona was a man of great personal beauty and
insinuating address, but devoid of both courage and experience. The
Pope generally spoke of him as Madame Cardona.
2 Fabrizio Colonna was a celebrated general. He was the son of
Edvardo Colonna, Duke of Amalfi, and served in the armies of the
king of Naples, by whom he was appointed Constable. He com-
manded the vanguard at the battle of Ravenna, where he was taken
prisoner. He died in 1520.
I508-I2 FRANCIS THE FIRST 73
seen, and one of the best appointed. Don Ray-
munda de Cardona, Viceroy of Naples, was at the
head of it, and had with him twelve or fourteen
hundred gendarmes, whereof eight hundred rode
barbed horses. They were all gold and azure, and
mounted on the best chargers and Spanish horses
that were ever beheld. Moreover, for the space of
two years, they had enjoyed the free range of
Romagna, a good and fertile land, where they had
provisions to their hearts' desire. There were only
twelve thousand foot two thousand foot under the
charge of a Captain Ramassot, and ten thousand
Spaniards, Biscayens, and Navarrese, conducted by
the Count Pietro da Navarro, 1 who was captain-
general of the whole body of infantry. He had
formerly led his men into Barbary against the
Moors, and with them had gained two or three
battles. In short, they were all men experienced
in war, and skilled to a marvel in the exercise of
arms."
This brilliant army waited under the walls of
1 Pietro da Navarro was born in Biscay, and was originally a
sailor; he afterwards served as -ualet-de-pied to the Cardinal* of
Aragon, and finally enlisted in the Florentine army, where he be-
came conspicuous for his bravery. Gonsalvo de Cordova employed
him in the Neapolitan war, with the rank of captain ; and the
emperor recompensed him for his services, at the taking of the
capital, with the title of Count of Alveto, and the proceeds of that
property. He failed in a naval expedition against the Moors in
Africa, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Ravenna. Two
years subsequently he entered into the service ot Francis I., and
distinguished himself upon several occasions until 1522, at which
period he was made captive by the imperial troops. Retaken a
second time by the same enemies in 1528, he died at the Chateau
d'CEuf, in which he was confined.
74 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
Faenza until the French general should take the
initiative, which he speedily did ; and, after having
despatched Bayard to reconnoitre the enemy's posi-
tion, he at once prepared to give them battle.
Cardona, acting upon the advice of Pietro da
Navarro, had resolved to keep within the entrench-
ments, but the guns of the French soon compelled
him to abandon this attempt, and they were no
sooner forced than the engagement became general.
For eight weary hours the work of carnage went
on ; but the Viceroy of Naples, soon losing faith in
the success of his troops, took flight early in the
day with a number of his cavalry, and never drew
bit until he had reached Ancona, a distance of
nearly thirty leagues.
The Due de Nemours was no sooner apprized of
this fact than he sent the Sire Louis d'Ars and
Bayard in pursuit of the fugitives, many of whom
were overtaken and cut to pieces. The infantry,
meanwhile, remained firm ; but after having re-
ceived the murderous fire of the artillery of the
Duke of Ferrara, as well as that of the French
themselves, they became shaken ; although not until
the French foot, which had been exposed through-
out the whole action, while their enemies were
partially covered by the ditch, had lost thirty-eight
out of the forty captains who accompanied them to
the field.
When he saw them waver, the impetuosity of
Fabrizio Colonna could no longer be controlled ; he
beheld not only his own safety but also that of the
1 5o8-i 2 FRANCIS THE FIRST 75
brave men who followed him perilled by the
cowardice of the recreant Cardona, whom he stig-
matized as the "Miscreant Moor;" and, disregard-
ing the orders of Navarro, he passed out of the
camp with a small body of cavalry and entered the
open plain, boldly charging the centre of the French
forces. It was, however, too late ; his troops were
already enfeebled, and the enemy were masters of
the field. After a desperate but hopeless conflict,
during which the archers of the guard, being unable
in the mQlte to make use of their legitimate weapons,
availed themselves of the small axes which they
carried in their belts, and with which they made
fearful havoc, the fortune of the day was soon
decided. Colonna himself was made prisoner by
Alphonso d'Este, 1 who subsequently granted him
both liberty and life ; and among the other captives
of note were the Cardinal de' Medici, Count Pietro
da Navarro, the Marquises de la Paluda and
Pescara, with many others of less mark ; while
their slain amounted to nearly sixteen thousand
men, among whom were many of their bravest
leaders.
1 Alphonso d'Este succeeded his father in 1505. His first wife
was Anne, sister of Galeas Sforza, Duke of Milan ; and his second
the celebrated Lucretia Borgia, daughter of Pope Alexander VI. He
was a member of the League of Cambray, when Julius II. appointed
him standard-bearer of the Roman Church. He retook the Polesina
de Rovigo from the Venetians, and never would adopt their interests.
Excommunicated and declared dispossessed of the principality of
Ferrara, he only escaped the vengeance of Julius II. by a timely
flight. He died in 1534, after having reconquered Bondeno, Finale,
San-Felice, Garfagnano, Lugo, Bagnacavallo, Reggio, Rubiera, and
Modena. He was immortalized by Ariosto.
76 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, in
Nevertheless the victory of Ravenna was a
melancholy triumph for the French arms, and
bought by some of the best blood of the nation.
Two companies of the enemy who had been suc-
cessfully engaged with some Gascon and Picardy
troops, and who were anxious to make their way
to Ravenna, were encountered by the Bastard du
Tay, and compelled to retreat along the canal.
During this movement some of the number fled,
one of whom, chancing to pass near the Due de
Nemours, and anxious to escape from this new
danger, answered his inquiry by declaring that the
Spaniards had beaten them ; an announcement which
maddened the young prince, who had long ere this
considered the victory no longer doubtful, and who,
rendered desperate by his fears, sprang upon the
causeway by which the two bands were retreating,
accompanied only by fourteen or fifteen gendarmes.
Unfortunately the fugitives had reloaded their fire-
locks, which they instantly discharged, and then
rushed upon the little party with their pikes. The
position of the duke and his followers did not admit
of their defending themselves with any effect, the
causeway being narrow, and bordered on one hand
by the canal and on the other by an impassable
ditch ; but they, nevertheless, struggled bravely to
the last, nor did they yield until every man was
either killed or disabled. The duke's horse was
hamstrung, upon which he flung himself to the
ground, and continued the fight on foot ; Adet de
Foix, Sire de Lautrec, who was beside him, de-
1508-12 FRANCIS THE FIRST 77
fended him with his own body until he fell covered
with wounds, and he then exerted all his remaining
strength in calling out to the Spaniards to spare the
life of the prince, who was the brother of their
queen. The appeal, however, was made in vain,
and the unhappy young hero fell covered with
wounds. " From the chin to the forehead," says
the Loyal Servant with affectionate simplicity, " he
had fourteen or fifteen clear proof that the gentle
prince had never turned his back."
Thus, in his twenty-third year, fell the brave
Gaston de Foix, by the hands of a small band of
fugitives, in whom his very name inspired terror.
Within three months he had gained four battles ;
the future was bright before him ; he was the idol of
the army which he led ; and secret treaties had
already been set on foot to secure to him the king-
dom of Naples. But now all was over, and the
maimed and disfigured corpse was borne through
the camp amid the tears and lamentations of those
who had so lately thrilled at his battle-cry.
The brave young Sire de Viverots, the only son
of the Seigneur Yves d'Allegre, who was in the
train of the prince, fell mortally wounded into the
canal, where he perished miserably ; and his father
also perished during a charge of infantry. Lautrec,
although grievously wounded, ultimately recovered ;
but the slaughter in the French army was estimated
at six thousand men, among whom were many
great and noble names. Well might Louis XII.,
when congratulated upon the conquest of Ravenna,
78 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, in
exclaim, in the regret and sadness of his spirit :
" Wish my enemies such victories ! "
On the day after the battle the French adven-
turers and lansquenets pillaged the ill-fated city,
despite the opposition of the Sire de la Palice, who
had been unanimously elected general-in-chief of the
army after the death of Gaston de Foix. Ravenna
had capitulated, and he had consequently been
anxious to spare to its inhabitants the horrors of
a sack. His anxiety was, however, unavailing ; the
volunteers and mercenaries of his army entered the
gates by stratagem, and the unhappy and conquered
citizens were outraged and despoiled.
At this juncture intelligence reached the French
army from the Seigneur Trivulzio that the Venetians
and Swiss were contemplating a descent upon the
duchy of Milan, and that suspicions were entertained
of the good faith of the emperor ; upon which it was
decided that they should immediately return to the
Milanese, carrying with them the body of Gaston,
which was interred within the Dome with regal
pomp, upwards of ten thousand mourners following
it to the grave, the greater number mounted and in
deep sables ; while forty standards, which had been
captured from the enemy, were borne before him
trailing in the dust, and his own banners held aloft
immediately in the rear, as emblematic of their
triumph over these prostrate trophies.
The battle of Ravenna cost Louis XII. one of
the brightest jewels of his crown.
CHAPTER IV
1513
Effects of the battle of Ravenna Religious scruples of the queen The Pope
raises a force in Switzerland The emperor withdraws his subjects from
the French army Maximilian Sforza enters Milan The Genoese revolt
Lord Dorset lands in Spain, is disgusted, and withdraws Intrigues
of Ferdinand Louis XII. invests Francis with the command of the army
of the Milanese The Spanish general declines his challenge The French
raise their camp before Pampeluna, and repass the Alps Light-hearted-
ness of Francis A prince and an advocate Licentiousness of Francis
Ancient notions of piety France enters into a league with the Venetian
states Treaty of marriage between the Archduke Charles and the Prin-
cesse Renee Union of Venice with France Death of Julius II.
Accession of Leo X. His enmity to France Louis XII. endeavours to
propitiate him, but fails He concludes a truce with Ferdinand and the
Venetians The Swiss take up arms against France Ferdinand and
Henry VIII. join the cause of the Pope Louis again invades the Milan-
ese Takes the principal cities Battle of Vivegano The French are
driven from the Milanese Louis mortgages a portion of the crown land
Henry VIII. invades France, and besieges Terouenne Louis proceeds
to Calais Bayard captures an English gun Famine in the city Maxi-
milian joins the English king The battle of the Spurs Bayard wins his
ransom Honours rendered to Bayard by Maximilian and Henry VIII.
Louis withdraws his army into Picardy.
THE consternation created in France by the dearly-
bought victory of Ravenna was not less deep in
Rome. The holy conclave saw, in the success of
the French arms, the ultimate subjugation of Italy,
and were alarmed accordingly. Bitter as the con-
cession could not fail to be, they urged the Pope to
offer terms to Louis, which might avert the evil ;
and Julius appeared inclined to satisfy their wishes,
but at that precise juncture the arrival of Giulio de'
8o THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
Medici at Rome once more determined him to pursue
his own designs. He came on a mission from his
cousin, the captive cardinal, whom he had visited in
his prison, after having himself fled from the field
with Cardona ; and now hastened to see the Pope,
in the name of his relative, and to represent to him
the crippled condition of the French army bereft of
its general. He found instant attention. Julius had
already secured the support of the vacillating Maxi-
milian ; he was aware that Louis, continually ha-
rassed by the pious scruples of the queen who,
never having regained her health after the birth of
the Princesse Renee, either felt, or affected to feel,
that her sufferings were a consequence of the unholy
and sacrilegious warfare in which he was engaged
would gladly terminate the struggle ; and, accord-
ingly, he refused all overtures towards a reconcilia-
tion, and instructed the Cardinal of Sion to raise as
many Swiss troops as might offer themselves, in
order to effect a descent into the Milanese, under
the specious pretext of restoring the duchy to the
young Maximilian Sforza, the son of Ludovic the
Moor. 1
1 Ludovic-Maria Sforza, surnamed the Moor, in consequence of
his dark complexion, put to death Simonetta, the tutor of his nephew,
Guan-Galeazo, and exiled the regent, Bona de Savoie, in order to
govern in the name of his young relative. Irritated by the threats of
the King of Naples, the father-in-law of the duke, he invited Charles
VIII. to enter Italy, hoping to retain the Milanese by a promise to
support him in his attempt at the conquest of Naples. Guan-Galeazo
having died by poison in 1494, Ludovic caused himself to be recog-
nized as Duke of Milan, to the prejudice of the son of that prince ;
but, ere long, alarmed by the successes of the French, he leagued
himself with the other Italian states against them, and compelled them
to repass the Alps. A second invasion of the French under Louis
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 81
The Swiss answered readily to the call of the
Pope, and engaged themselves to the number of
twenty thousand in his service ; while Maximilian,
although still considered as the ally of France and
the enemy of the Venetians, did not hesitate to
accord to the latter, on the receipt of an equivalent
in money, a truce of ten months ; with permission for
the Swiss to march through his territories, in order
to join them in their attack upon the army of Louis.
La Palice, who had succeeded to the command
on the death of the Due de Nemours, made every
preparation for resistance ; but his exertions were
rendered nugatory by the fact that, on the day which
succeeded his occupation of the fortress of Pontevico
as a central position, whence he could communicate
with the other divisions of his army, a letter arrived
from the emperor, commanding all his subjects to
withdraw from the French service ; and as a con-
siderable portion of his troops were German lans-
quenets, M. de la Palice at once saw himself rendered
powerless, and was enabled with difficulty to retreat
to A st. The young Archduke Maximilian entered
Milan without opposition; the Genoese revolted,
and elected as their doge one of the Fregosi, a
declared enemy to France ; and the vaunt of Julius,
that he would expel the barbarians from Italy, was
at length accomplished.
Nor was the loss of the Milanese the only subject
XII. dispossessed him of his duchy. He was taken prisoner before
Novara, and conveyed to France, where he lived ten years a captive
in the castle of Loches. He died in 1510.
VOL. I 6
82 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
of disquietude to which Louis was at this period
exposed. Ferdinand of Spain, who was anxious
to possess himself of Navarre, had entered into a
negotiation with Henry VIII., in which he professed
a desire to regain Guienne, to which England still
affected a claim, and solicited a passage through the
kingdom of Navarre, which was refused, upon the
plea that the king had resolved to observe a strict
neutrality. The Marquis of Dorset, who had
already landed in Spain with a force of fifty thousand
men and marched towards the French frontier, was
no sooner apprized of this circumstance than he
applied to the Spanish king for further instructions ;
when Ferdinand, who had only sought for help from
/England in order to effect the conquest of Navarre,
/ of which Jean d'Albret was the sovereign in right of
his wife, the spirited but unfortunate Catherine de
I Foix, endeavoured to impress upon the English
' general the necessity of conquering that country
before the attempt upon Guienne could be accom-
plished ; a proof of perfidy which so disgusted the
marquis that he at once abandoned his cause and
withdrew with his troops, who had already suffered
severely from the effects of the climate.
Nevertheless Ferdinand pursued his purpose, and
demanded from the Navarrese sovereigns that they
should place in his hands either the Prince de Viane,
their son, or all the fortified places throughout their
dominions, as a guarantee that they would offer no
assistance to France against the Holy League ; but
Jean d'Albret, aware that he could place no reliance
1 5 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 83
upon the word of the Spanish king, after having in
vain protested his intention of remaining neuter, and
perceiving that the Duke of Alva was advancing
into his territories at the head of the Aragonnese
army, caused his queen to retire to Beam, and threw
himself into Pampeluna, where he awaited in vain
for a time the arrival of succour from France. Nor
did he even find support from his own subjects, who,
far from taking up arms in defence of their country,
talked only of submission ; and he at length found
himself compelled to retreat beyond the Pyrenees,
when Pampeluna opened its gates to the Duke of
Alva, an example which was followed by all the cities
of Spanish Navarre within the space of a few days.
Louis XII., disheartened as he was by a series of
reverses which had overthrown all the previous
glory of the French arms; driven from Italy; shorn
of his allies, all of whom had suffered like himself;
and menaced upon his frontiers by the emperor, the
Swiss, the Low Countries, England, and Spain
could not, however, see the King of Navarre, whose
allegiance to himself had been the alleged pretext
for his overthrow, thus made the spoil of his
treacherous enemy ; and he accordingly marched an
army to his assistance, under the joint command of
the Dues de Bourbon and de Longueville j 1 but as
these two powerful nobles could not agree upon
points of precedence, and their misunderstanding
1 The Due de Longueville was a descendant of the famous illegi-
timate branch of the house of Orleans, originating in the brave Jehan,
Comte de Dunois, the natural son of Louis, Due d'Orleans, brother
of Charles VI.
84 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
was likely to injure the interests of the expedition,
Louis decided upon investing the young Due de
Valois with the supreme command.
Inflamed by the glorious example of the youthful
Gaston de Foix, his predecessor, Francis eagerly
assumed the post thus tendered to him, and had
no sooner reached the camp than he marched the
French forces to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, of which
Colonel Villalva had possessed himself, and where
the Duke of Alva had shortly afterwards taken up
his position with the whole of his army. The
troops which had lately evacuated Italy joined the
forces of the Due de Valois ; and La Palice, their
most experienced general, became his counsellor.
On arriving near the position of the enemy,
Francis endeavoured to force them to an engage-
ment ; and for this purpose sent a message of
defiance to the Spanish general, which was, how-
ever, declined ; whereupon La Palice seized the
pass of the valley of Roncal, one of the mediums
of communication between Navarre and Beam ;
and in the course of the month of October con-
ducted one of the three (divisions of the French
army by this defile within two leagues of Pampe-
luna, under the nominal command of the King of
Navarre ; while the Due de Bourbon overran
Guipuscoa, taking and demolishing several fortified
places ; and the remaining division held the Duke
of Alva in check at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Nevertheless the Spanish general succeeded in
occupying Roncevaux a few hours before La Palice,
15 1 3 FRANCIS THE FIRST 85
and thence marched into Pampeluna, where he
was besieged by the French troops. It was, how-
ever, too late to retrieve the fatal mistake which
had been made in suffering him to reach the city.
The weather had become severe, snow had fallen
to a great depth, provisions were scarce and un-
certain, and the roads almost impassable for artillery.
Moreover the Aragonnese were advancing on all
sides to support the besieged city, and after a
few inconsequent skirmishes the French were
compelled to strike their camp and to demolish
the battery which they had raised, in order to
repass the Pyrenees ; an effort which they only
accomplished at the expense of their heavy baggage
and thirteen cannon taken by the Spaniards during
their retreat.
Unpropitious as the campaign had proved, it had
at least enabled the young prince to display alike
the talent and the courage which gave earnest
of his future prowess ; and he was received on his
return with all the honour due to a more successful
general. The gloom which overhung the nation
could not quell the animal spirits consequent upon
his youth and temperament ; and while his royal
uncle was absorbed in anxiety and irresolution as
to the new alliance which it had become imperative
upon him to form either with the emperor or the
Venetians, in order to make head against the
enemies by whom he was threatened, Francis
entered with enthusiasm into all the amusements
of the capital ; and at the head of a reckless band
86 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
of young nobles indulged himself in every species
of dissipation.
The extreme youth of his affianced wife offering
no check to his libertine propensities, they soon
became uncontrollable ; and it was at this period
that he formed a liaison which affords upon several
points so perfect an insight into his character that
it cannot be passed over in silence.
A certain advocate in Paris, whose professional
acumen and skill had secured to him an immense
reputation, had married, in the decline of life, a
beautiful young girl of eighteen or nineteen years
of age, whose parents, dazzled by the wealth and
station of the suitor, had induced her to bestow
her hand upon him. Unfortunately for both parties,
she acted only up to the strict letter of her bond ;
and, although surrounded by luxury and indulgence,
rather tolerated than loved the husband who had
thus been forced upon her. Nevertheless, although
fond of pleasure and admiration, her conduct had
been sufficiently circumspect to satisfy the worthy
advocate, who, conscious that he was no longer
of an age to command the devotion of a young
and pretty woman, suffered her to participate in all
the amusements which were offered to her accept-
ance without objection or mistrust. It chanced, how-
ever, that at a marriage festival she was remarked
by the young Due de Valois, who, although only
in his sixteenth year, had already begun to yield
to that passionate admiration of female beauty
which throughout life formed one of the distin-
IS 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 87
guishing features of his character, and who, despite
the indulgent testimony of Madame d'Alen^on and
Brantome, his uncompromising panegyrists, sacri-
ficed to this licentious propensity not only his
sense of personal dignity but even his respect for
religion, the semblance of which he did not scruple
to assume in order to veil his irregularities. Upon
the occasion just named, the prince made the
acquaintance of the fair citizen ; nor did he hesitate
before the close of the evening to declare to her the
passion with which she had inspired him. The
young beauty listened without displeasure, for she
was aware of the rank of her new admirer, and her
vanity was flattered by such a conquest ; nor was it
long ere she yielded to his passionate protestations
so far as to consent to receive him under the roof
of her husband when that husband should be from
home. Accordingly a rendezvous was appointed,
and the prince, disguised in order that the honour
of the lady might not be unnecessarily compromised,
directed his steps towards her residence, accom-
panied by certain of his gentlemen, whom he quitted
at the entrance of the street ; directing them, should
they hear no noise within a quarter of an hour,
to retire where they pleased, but to return (during
the course of the night in order to conduct him back
to the palace ; after which he proceeded to the
house of the advocate, where he found the door
unfastened, as had been previously arranged, and
hastened to ascend the staircase to the apartment
of the lady. It appeared, however, that the hus-
88 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
band, from some cause or other, had returned home
unexpectedly, and the young prince had not reached
the first floor ere he encountered him, taper in
hand, and was aware that retreat had already be-
come impossible. In this emergency the precocious
presence of mind of Francis did not desert him for
an instant, but courteously greeting the man of law
with a smile upon his lips, he said in his blandest
tone :
" M. 1'Avocat, you know the confidence which
I and all the princes of my house have ever placed
in your probity, and that I have ever considered
you to be one of my best and most faithful servants ;
I have, in consequence, come privately to visit you,
in order to request that you will be careful of my
interests ; and also to beg that you will give me
a draught of wine, of which I stand greatly in need.
Be careful, however, not to suffer any one to know
that you have seen me, as I am going hence to a
place where I do not wish to be recognized."
The worthy advocate, delighted that the prince
should confer upon him so great a mark of con-
descension and esteem, was profuse in his profes-
sions and acknowledgments ; and, leading the way,
conducted his unexpected guest to his best apart-
ment, where he desired his wife to set forth the
best collation of fruits and sweetmeats she could
collect an order which was promptly and efficiently
obeyed ; and while she was thus engaged the young
duke continued to converse with his host upon
his private and pecuniary business, without once
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 89
turning his eyes upon her after the first courtesies
had been exchanged. At length, however, the
lady dropped upon her knee as she presented to
him the refreshment he had required ; and while
her husband was pouring out a goblet of wine at
the sideboard whispered to him not to leave the
house, but to conceal himself in a wardrobe on the
right hand of the gallery, where she would soon
join him. When he had swallowed the wine, the
young prince made his acknowledgments to the
advocate, took an indifferent leave of the lady, and
rose to depart ; but as the unsuspicious lawyer pre-
pared to escort him, taper in hand, on his return,
he stopped him with a gesture of his hand, declaring
that he required no attendance, and would rather
gain the street alone in darkness. Then, turning
to the lady, he said courteously : " Moreover,
Madame, I will not deprive you of the companion-
ship of your good husband, who is one of my oldest
servants, and whom you are very happy to possess ;
a happiness for which you should praise God, and
both cherish and obey him, for should you do
otherwise you would be very blamable." Having
said these words, he withdrew, carefully closing the
door behind him, in order not to be detected in
his purpose ; and, once enclosed in his place of
retreat, awaited the promised summons of his frail
conquest, who did not fail to fulfil her engagement.
Had the adventure ended here and thus, we
would not have sullied our pages with its record ;
but such was far from being the case ; the beauty
90 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
and devotion of the handsome citizen had enthralled
the heart of Francis ; and as their liaison lasted for
a considerable period he became anxious to abridge
the distance between them, and for this purpose
passed habitually through the cloisters of a mon-
astery, with whose prior he ultimately rendered
himself so great a favourite that the porter was
instructed to leave the gates open for him until
midnight, and to give him egress at any hour when
he might be required to do so. As the house of
the advocate was situated in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of this monastery, he always entered the
holy pile unattended ; and although he traversed
it rapidly on his way to his appointment, he never
failed on his return fresh from the pollution of his
orgy, and yet flushed with the fever of his sin
to remain for a considerable period in prayer in
the silent chapel, to the marvel and edification of
the community, who, on entering the sacred fane
for matin service, constantly found him on his
knees before the altar !
Divided, as we have already stated, between
Maximilian and the Venetians, Louis was unable
to decide upon his course of action ; but, strongly
urged by his council rather to trust to the good
faith of the latter than to place any trust in the
emperor, he at length consented ; and a league,
defensive and offensive, was entered into by France
with the state of Venice, at the urgent entreaty of
Trivulzio. Nevertheless, Louis, in his secret heart,
still inclined towards Maximilian. He was dazzled
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 91
by the imperial dignity, and influenced by Anne de
Bretagne, who was ambitious to unite her second
daughter, as she had previously been to marry her
first, to Charles of Austria, in whom she saw a
future emperor. A treaty to this effect was conse-
quently commenced, in which it was stipulated that
the Princesse Renee should convey to her husband,
as her dowry, all the rights of France over the
kingdom of Naples, the duchy of Milan, and the
republic of Genoa. To these conditions the em-
peror affected to consent, but he exacted, as a
preliminary, that the young princess should be con-
signed to his charge, and be educated at his Court
a precaution in which he was undoubtedly autho-
rized, when he remembered how his own marriage
with Anne de Bretagne and those of his daughter
Marguerite and his grandson Charles, had been un-
ceremoniously set aside by France. The French
monarch, however, refused to accede to such terms ;
nor could Anne be induced, even when her ambition
was aroused, to separate herself from her infant
daughter.
Meanwhile the treaty with the Venetians was
accomplished, and those who had so lately met as
enemies were collected under the same banners.
La Tremouille was appointed to the command of
the forces with which Louis still hoped to re-
conquer the Milanese ; and D'Alviano, who had
been retained a captive since the battle of Agna-
dello, was restored to liberty and placed at the
head of the Venetian army.
92 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
While the approaching war was thus still in
abeyance, and it was as yet impossible to decide
who would act as allies and who as enemies dur-
ing the next campaign, Julius was indefatigable in
undermining the interests of France ; while he
menaced, each in their turn, the Duke of Ferrara,
the republics of Venice, of Lucca, of Sienna, and of
Genoa ; Ferdinand of Spain, the Medici at Flo-
rence, and the Baglioni at Perousa in short, all
the powers who were not sufficiently pliable in his
hands, and who disputed his entire supremacy. But
in the midst of an arrogance by which the general
peace of Europe was threatened he was seized in
the spring of 1513 with a fever, followed by dysen-
tery, which soon assumed a serious aspect ; notwith-
standing which the restless and ambitious old man,
so soon to be called before a tribunal from which
he, even as the sovereign pontiff, had no appeal,
laboured to the last in the partial completion of the
work which he had so zealously commenced ; and
having assembled all the cardinals about him to
confirm a bull which he had fulminated, and secured,
so far as he was able to do so, the independence of
the conclave which was to name his successor, he
expired on the evening of the 2ist of February,
exclaiming, in his last moments, " Out with the
French from Italy ! Out with Alphonso d'Este ! "
Although the death of Julius II. had undoubtedly
delivered France from an implacable enemy, it still
remained questionable how far she would profit by
the rule of his successor. The Cardinal de Medici,
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 93
who assumed the triple crown under the title of
Leo X., was a man of high birth and acknowledged
acquirements ; but although on ascending the papal
chair he had declared his anxiety to maintain the
peace of Europe, it could not fail to be remarked
that he had chosen for the ceremony of his corona-
tion the anniversary of the very day upon which he
had been made prisoner by the French at the battle
of Ravenna, and that he even rode the same horse
which carried him upon that occasion. Moreover,
he had not been indebted for his liberty to any
respect felt by his enemies for his sacred character,
as he had been rescued from the hands of Trivulzio
by some insurgent peasantry ; while the revolution,
which had restored to his family their rule in Flo-
rence, had been undertaken in hatred towards the
French. Nevertheless Louis XII. was anxious to
effect a reconciliation with the Holy See ; while the
queen, still more eager than himself to make her
peace with the Church, urged him continually to
propose such terms to Leo as might tend to that
result. Accordingly, the French king offered to
submit the arrangement of a peace to the judg-
ment and justice of the sovereign pontiff, on con-
dition that no opposition should be made to his
designs on Milan. However, the concession was
met with evasive coldness, and Louis became at
once aware that Leo X. was bent, like his prede-
cessor, upon the expulsion of the French from Italy.
He therefore hesitated no longer ; but, concluding
a treaty of peace for twelve months with Ferdinand
94 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
of Spain, and ratifying that into which he had en-
tered with the Venetian States, endeavoured once
more to induce the Swiss to enter into his interests.
Here, however, he was destined to disappointment ;
they would scarcely listen to the proposals of his
ambassador, and conceded no more than that they
would continue favourable to Louis so long as he
attempted nothing against either the Pope or the
Duke of Milan, whom they had, as they affirmed,
taken under their protection. And when they dis-
covered that the French monarch, undismayed by
their opposition, was resolved to enforce his claims,
they at once took up arms to oppose his entrance
into Italy.
Leo, meanwhile, had not been idle. With little
difficulty he induced the hollow-hearted Ferdinand
once more to break his faith with the French king,
and even to induce Henry VIII., his son-in-law, to
invade France, and to secure the co-operation of
Maximilian, by the payment of one hundred thousand
crowns for the maintenance of his army. Yet Louis
still persevered. Indignant at the bad faith of his
false allies, exasperated by the cool impassibility of
the Pope, and more than ever anxious to regain
the supremacy of the Milanese, he marched a for-
midable army into Italy, under the command of
La Tremouille, who, fourteen years previously, had
taken Milan and made prisoner Ludovico Sforza.
Nor was his confidence misplaced, for that general
crossed the Alps before the Swiss were cognizant
of his design, relieved Milan, and took possession
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 95
of Ast and Alessandria. The star of Louis was
once more in the ascendant. His fleet made them-
selves masters of Genoa, the Venetians attacked
and gained Cremona, and everything appeared to
favour the French arms and to promise a speedy
and glorious termination to the war. Ultimately
La Tremouille arrived before Novara, and com-
menced the attack, but soon discovered that he had
been premature. A breach had been effected, but
at the moment when he was about to avail himself
of it he received intelligence that a strong re-
inforcement was coming up ; when, convinced too
late of the error which he had committed, and for-
getting that it could now only be retrieved by pur-
suing the advantage he had gained, he withdrew to
Vivegano, a distance of about two miles, and thus
enabled the enemy to enter Novara during the
night, where a council was immediately called, by
which it was decided to attack the French camp.
This bold resolution was acted upon without delay,
and the Swiss accordingly commenced their march
before midnight. Well acquainted with the nature
of the ground, and aware that the troops of La
Tremouille were surrounded by marshy land, where
their cavalry would be crippled and almost useless,
they formed their own force, consisting entirely of
foot soldiers, into two divisions, one of which was
instructed to prevent the approach of the mounted
troops, and the other to attack the French artillery.
As daylight dawned they had taken up their posi-
tion, and La Tremouille, unprepared as he was to
96 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
anticipate such a demonstration, at once made every
arrangement to receive them.
He soon perceived that the enemy, whose suc-
cess had depended upon their celerity, had not
brought a single gun into the field, and he accord-
ingly advanced his artillery, consisting of two and
twenty pieces, to the front of his line, under a
guard of German lancers. His first fire committed
great ravages among the Swiss ranks, but as the
foremost men fell their vacancies were instantly
filled up from the rear, and they dashed forward
gallantly to the very mouths of the cannon, and
engaged with the lansquenets by whom they were
supported. For two hours the battle waged
fiercely, but at the termination of that period the
Germans, bravely as they had borne themselves,
gave way, and the Swiss, having obtained posses-
sion of the guns, turned them against their former
owners, and committed terrible slaughter. Mean-
while the cavalry had been compelled to total in-
action, being hemmed in on one side by a dense
wood and on the other by a bog deeply trenched,
in which the horses buried themselves to their
knees at every plunge. In one instance only did
they succeed in taking any share in the fortunes of
the day, but that one must not pass unrecorded.
Robert de la Mark, 1 who commanded the lansque-
1 Messire Robert de la Mark was a soldier of distinction, sur-
named the " Great Boar of the Ardennes," from the position of his
estates, and his constant habit of laying waste all the territory of
the emperor, and other princes in the vicinity. He was the original
cause of the war between Maximilian and Louis XI I., who supported
IS 1 3 FRANCIS THE FIRST 97
nets, and who was accompanied to the field by his
two sons, the Seigneur de Fleuranges and the
Seigneur de Jamets, having lost sight of them in
the mfee, feeling convinced that they must be
either slain or captive thus to fail him at such a
moment, leaped the trenches at the head of a hun-
dred of his own troop, and charged the Swiss so
vigorously that he broke their ranks, reached the
spot where his sons had been engaged, both of
whom were lying on the ground disabled by their
hurts, and carried them off in safety, having him-
self received nearly fifty wounds.
The capture of the cannon had, however, decided
the issue of the battle ; and La Tremouille, himself
severely wounded, was compelled to order a retreat,
which was not effected without great sacrifice of life.
The gendarmes suffered little, as their enemies had
no mounted force with which to pursue them, but
the infantry were slain on all sides. The Gascons,
who were the first to fly, were allowed to escape
almost unimpeded ; for the Swiss concentrated all
their fury upon the lansquenets, the objects of their
most bitter hatred, whom they considered as their
rivals in the mercenary trade which they had so long
exercised alone. Five thousand of these wretched
men perished upon the field, and the remainder
were compelled to surrender. A similar number of
him in his forays. He had adopted as his device a figure of St.
Margaret, with a dragon at her feet, representing the great principle
of evil ; and was in the habit, when he made his orisons to this his
patron saint, of burning two candles before her shrine, one of which
was dedicated to herself and the other to the dragon, declaring that
" if God would not aid him the devil would not fail to do so."
VOL. I 7
98 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
French were killed, either in action or during the
retreat, for many of the Gascons, whom the Swiss
had spared, were murdered by the peasantry. The
loss of the victors was nearly as great, and their
leader, Mottino, was among the slain ; but their
triumph was complete, and after remaining for an
hour or two upon the scene of their success they
returned to Novara, carrying with them the twenty-
two pieces of ordnance, as well as all the draught-
horses and baggage of the French army.
Once more the troops of Louis XII. were driven
out of Italy. All the places which they had taken
opened their gates to the conquerors ; and public
rejoicings were held in Rome, where the Pope con-
gratulated the Swiss upon their victory ; while he
flattered himself that the defeat at Novara would
so undermine the energies and cripple the strength
of the French king that he would be unable to con-
tend against any new enemy. And, in truth, the
prospects of Louis were anything but encourag-
ing. Invaded upon every one of his frontiers,
he saw himself compelled to recall the remnant of his
army from the Riotta ; he could place no faith in
Ferdinand, and he anticipated an attack from the
English upon Normandy ; while, despite all his
caution, the national treasury was exhausted. The
campaign in Italy had been at once disastrous and
expensive ; Paris had been heavily taxed, and he
had no resource save in mortgaging a portion of his
territory. Meanwhile Henry VIII. had raised, in
the month of May, an army of twenty-five thousand
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 99
men, under the command of the Earl of Shrews-
bury and Lord Talbot, which the French fleet had
found it impossible to prevent landing ; and he
himself embarked to join them at the end of June,
proceeding immediately from Calais to the frontier
town of Terouenne, before which he sat down with
his troops. The city was well fortified, and gar-
risoned by two hundred horse and two thousand foot,
under Fra^ois de Teligny, Senechal de Rouergue,
and Antoine de Crequi, Seigneur de Pondormy ; but
it was ill-provisioned for a siege, and its position
was consequently very precarious.
Louis XII., during his period of suspense as to
the point upon which he should be attacked, had
resided alternately at Paris and at Blois ; but on
learning that the English had landed in great
strength at Calais, he caused himself, although suffer-
ing painfully from gout, to be conveyed to Amiens
in a litter, in order to be nearer to Louis de Hall-
win, Seigneur de Piennes, who was his lieutenant-
general in Picardy ; and hastened to issue a stringent
order to his generals not to hazard an engagement
with the enemy, which, should it prove disastrous
in its result, might tend to involve the ruin of the
kingdom. Meanwhile the French army concen-
trated itself at Blangy near Hesdin, where it was
successively joined by M. de la Palice, Imbercourt, 1
1 Adrian de Brimeu, Marquis d'Imbercourt, was a descendant of
the celebrated house of Brimeu, from which the Counts of Megen in
the Low Countries derive their origin. He was greatly distinguished
for his valour, and served both Louis XII. and Francis I. with zeal
and loyalty.
ioo THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
Bayard, Aymar de Prie, Bonnivet, Bonneval, La
Fayette, Fontrailles, 1 with his Albanian light-horse,
and Fleuranges with his lansquenets ; while they
still awaited the Duke of Suffolk, who had espoused
the cause of Louis against Henry VIII., whom he
regarded as the destroyer of his brother, a Lan-
casterian and an usurper.
The English king left Calais on the ist of August
with nine thousand infantry to join his army at
Terouenne, and was encountered by all the French
horse, amounting to twelve hundred lances ; when,
as he had no cavalry with him, the two armies had
no sooner approached within cannon shot than he
became apprehensive of treachery, and, dismount-
ing, placed himself in the centre of the lansquenets.
Bayard, whose gallant and impetuous spirit ill
brooked the restraint which the orders of Louis
had imposed upon the French troops, eagerly re-
quested permission to attack the advancing column,
declaring that, if the line were once forced, the
English must be defeated ; or, at the worst, as they
had no horsemen, they could not follow up any
transient advantage ; and, in order to offer a proof
1 The Sire Imbaud de Fontrailles, the representative of an
ancient Gascon family, was the Colonel-General of the Albanian
light-horse a force at that period unknown in the French army,
which was always supplied by foreigners ; the gendarmes being the
only national cavalry. It was from these Albanian troops that the
French learnt and adopted the duties of light-horsemen. At Fornoua
these troops received from the Venetians the name of Estradiotz,
or Corvals, while the Spaniards called them Genetaires. M. de
Fontrailles was also captain of a company of fifty men-at-arms, and
was frequently the associate of Bayard in the skirmishes for which
he was so famous.
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 101
of what he asserted, he broke through the rear-
guard of the enemy with his own troop and carried
off one of the twelve cannon which Henry VIII.
had named the twelve apostles. The Sire de Piennes,
whose heart was with him, but who was too good a
general to disobey orders, reminded him that the
king his master had strictly forbidden all aggressive
measures, and, therefore, reluctantly summoned him
to desist ; but Bayard did not relinquish his prize,
which was safely conveyed to the French camp.
When, on the 2d of August, Henry joined his
army before Terouenne, he was received with loud
acclamations, and a few days subsequently he was
joined by the Emperor Maximilian, with some thou-
sands of Hainaulters and Burgundians ; nor had a
week elapsed ere a number of Flemish and other
nobles from the Low Countries, despite the neu-
trality declared by Margaret, flocked to his banners
as volunteers.
Meanwhile, moreover, the garrison of the be-
sieged city saw themselves threatened by famine ;
their provisions were nearly exhausted, and Louis
XII., aware of this circumstance, instructed M. de
Piennes that Terouenne must be victualled at any
risk. Surrounded as it was on all sides by the
enemy, this enterprise was, however, one of immense
difficulty and certain danger ; and, after mature con-
sideration, it was decided that the Sire de Piennes
and the Due de Longueville should march a body
of fourteen hundred horsemen to the heights of
Guinegatte, to distract the attention of the enemy ;
102 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
while Fontrailles, with his Albanian light-horse (or
stradiots) should charge the English troops at a
particular point, and fling into the moat of the city
the salted provisions and powder which they carried
before them. The attempt was skilfully made and
vigorously carried out. At the head of eight hun-
dred men the young commander charged so re-
solutely that he broke through the ranks of the
besiegers, and, riding directly to the fosse, each
man cast down the bag of powder and the pork
which he bore upon his horse, and then, making
face upon the enemy, succeeded in regaining the
main body with a gallantry as daring as it was suc-
cessful. This was, however, the only favourable
moment for the French arms ; and even this had
met its counterpoise on the heights of Guinegatte,
which the gendarmes had no sooner attained than
they saw in their rear ten thousand English
archers, four thousand lansquenets, and eight pieces
of artillery. Maximilian had been apprised of their
intended stratagem by his spies, numbers of whom
were employed in both the adverse camps ; while, in
many instances, there were double traitors among
them, who alternately served or betrayed either, as
their interest prompted.
The French soldiery, who were aware that they
had not been ordered to that point to come to an
engagement with the enemy, retrograded at the
command of their leaders, but so confusedly that,
from a trot, they soon broke into a gallop, and
threw themselves pell-mell upon a rear-guard of
15 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 103
cavalry headed by the Due de Longueville and the
Marquis de la Palice, which they scattered, and, pass-
ing through their midst, continued to fly until they
reached Blandy, where the infantry were encamped,
who were nearly driven, in their turn, from their
position by the impetuosity of this unexpected
charge. An attempt was made by a few of their
leaders to make head, with a handful of men, against
the German cavalry, who were in pursuit of the
fugitives ; and among these the foremost were the
Sire de la Palice and the Due de Longueville. In
vain, however, did the former shout, " Turn, men-
at-arms, turn ; this is nothing !" The alarm had
spread through the whole body ; the terrified troops
passed on, regardless of his cry ; and, although he
still strove to cover their disorderly retreat, sup-
ported by some of the most gallant spirits of the
army, his self-devotion, although it tended to save
the French army, was unfortunate for himself and
his friends, as they were nearly all taken prisoners ;
among others, Longueville, La Palice, Bayard, La
Fayette, Clermont d'Anjou, and Bussy d'Amboise.
This flight from Guinegatte, which took place on
the 1 5th April 1513, obtained for the encounter the
name of the Battle of the Spurs, these having been
the only efficient weapons made use of by the hostile
armies. Very few lives were sacrificed on either
side ; but of the principal prisoners M. de la Palice
alone succeeded in effecting his retreat, while Bay-
ard won his ransom in so gallant a manner that we
must, to do it ample justice, give the episode in the
104 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
words of his biographer : " The good knight with-
out fear and without reproach retired very sorrow-
fully, and ever and anon turned upon his enemies
with fourteen or fifteen gendarmes who had stood
by him. In retreating he came to a little bridge,
whereon no more than two men could pass abreast ;
and there was a great ditch full of water which came
from a distance of more than half a league, and
turned a mill three furlongs farther on. When he
was upon the bridge he said to those that were with
him ' Gentlemen, Let us stop here, for the enemy
will not gain this bridge from us in the space of an
hour.' Then he called one of his archers and said
to him ' Hie you to our camp, and tell my Lord de
la Palice that I have stopped the enemy short for at
least half an hour ; that during that interval he must
make the forces draw up in order of battle, and let
them not be alarmed, but march hither slowly ; for,
should the adversaries advance to the camp and find
them in this confusion, they would infallibly be de-
feated.'
" The archer goes straight to the camp and leaves
the good knight with the inconsiderable number of
men by whom he was accompanied guarding that
little bridge, where he did all that prowess could
achieve. The Burgundians and Hainaulters arrived,
but were obliged to fight on the hither side of the
bridge, as they could not very easily effect a passage.
This gave the French, who had returned to their
camp, leisure to place themselves in order, and in a
posture of defence, in the event of its proving neces-
15 1 3 FRANCIS THE FIRST 105
sary. When the Burgundians found themselves
withstood by such a handful of men, they cried out
that archers should be sent for with all speed, and
some went to hasten them. Meanwhile about two
hundred cavaliers followed the course of the stream
until they discovered the mill, by which they crossed.
The good knight, thus enclosed on both sides, then
said to his people ' Sirs, let us surrender to these
gentlemen, for all the daring we might display would
avail us nothing. Our horses are weary, our adver-
saries are ten to one against us, and our forces full
three leagues off; so that, if we tarry but a short
while longer, and the English archers come up, they
will cut us to pieces.' At these words the aforesaid
Burgundians and Hainaulters arrived, shouting
'Burgundy! Burgundy!' and made a mighty onset
upon the French, who, having no further means of
resistance, surrendered, one here, another there, to
those of most seeming consideration. While each
was endeavouring to take his prisoner, the good
knight espied, under some dwarf trees, a gentleman
in goodly attire, who, by reason of the excessive
heat he was in, whereby he was completely over-
come, had taken off his helmet, and was so turmoiled
and weary that he cared not to be at the trouble of
taking prisoners. He spurred straight up to this
person, grasping his sword, which he pointed at the
other's throat, and exclaimed, ' Surrender, cavalier,
or you die.' Terribly dismayed was this gentleman,
for he thought that his whole company were made
prisoners, and being in fear of his life he said, ' I
io6 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, iv
give myself up, then, since I am taken in this man-
ner ; but who are you ? ' 'I am Captain Bayard/
replied the good knight, 'who surrender to you.
Here is my sword ; I pray you be pleased to carry
me away with you. But do me this kindness :
should we meet with any English on the road who
may offer to take our lives, let me have it back
again.' This the gentleman promised and fulfilled,
for, as they drew towards the camp, they were both
obliged to use their weapons against certain English
who sought to slay the prisoners, whereby they
gained nothing.
" Then was the good knight conducted to the
camp of the King of England, and into the tent of
the gentleman by whom he had been captured, who
entertained him very well for three or four days.
On the fifth the good knight said to him, ' My
worthy sir, I should be right glad if you would
have me conveyed in safety to the king, my master's
camp, for I am already weary of being here.' ' How
say you ?' asked the other ; ' we have not yet treated
of your ransom.' 'My ransom?' said the good
knight ; 'your own, you mean, for you are my
prisoner ; and if, after you gave me your word, I
surrendered to you, it was to save my life, and for
no other reason.' Great was the amazement of the
gentleman, especially when the good knight added :
' Sir, if you do not keep your word, I am confident
that I shall make my escape by some means or
other ; but be assured that I shall insist upon doing
battle with you afterward.' The gentleman knew
1 5 13 FRANCIS THE FIRST 107
not what reply to make, for he had heard a great
deal about Captain Bayard, and by no means
relished the idea of fighting with him. However,
being a very courteous knight, he at length said :
' My Lord of Bayard, I am desirous of dealing
fairly with you ; I will refer the matter to the cap-
tains."
The brave but disconcerted captor scrupulously
kept his word ; and as the arrival of Bayard in the
hostile camp soon got bruited abroad, Maximilian
caused him to be summoned to his tent, and, as he
entered, exclaimed gaily : " Captain Bayard, I am
delighted to see you. Would to God that I had
many men like yourself, for, if I had, I should not
be long ere I requited the king your master for the
good offices which he did me in times past. I
believe that we formerly fought together, and I
think it was then said that Bayard never fled."
" If I had done so upon this occasion, Sire," was
the proud reply, " I should not now have been here."
At this moment Henry VIII. entered the tent,
to whom the emperor presented the good knight,
who received their courtesies with respect and
modesty, after which the peculiarity of his position
was discussed, and it was decided that he should be
restored to liberty unransomed on condition that he
should not bear arms for six weeks, during which
time he should remain on parole, but free to reside
in such Flemish cities as he should desire to visit.
Bayard bent the knee in acknowledgment of this
concession, and a few days subsequently took leave
io8 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, iv
of the allied sovereigns and proceeded to Flanders,
where he amused himself by giving fetes, and
endearing himself to the people by the chivalry
and courtesy of his deportment. In such pursuits
the period of his probation rapidly wore away, and
he once more girt on his armour and joined his
standard.
Meanwhile Louis had profited by the supineness
of his enemies, who, instead of pursuing their ad-
vantage after the victory of Terouenne, had allowed
the favourable moment to escape them, and withdrew
his army from Blangy into Picardy, while Henry
and Maximilian returned each to his own territories.
CHAPTER V
Divisions among the French generals Francis appointed to the command of
the new army Terouenne capitulates, and is destroyed by Henry VIII.
Burgundy revolts The Swiss determine to invade France They are
worsted at Dijon, and enter into a treaty with the French general The
treaty is disavowed by Louis Dismal prospects of France Henry VIII.
enters Tournay, and returns to England A twelvemonths' truce signed
by the European sovereigns Death of Anne de Bretagne Grief of the
king Marriage of the Princesse Claude and Francis The Court mourn-
ing Louis urged to take a third wife The Due de Longueville nego-
tiates for the hand of the Princess Mary of England Misunderstanding
between the two monarchs The treaty is renewed Betrothal of the
contracting parties Mary and Brandon, Duke of Suffolk Arrival of the
young queen in France Anne Boleyn The royal marriage Court
festivities Mary becomes enamoured of Francis Position of the Prin-
cesse Claude A courtier's caution Accusation of Brantome Illness of
Louis XII. His last interview with Francis Death of Louis XII.
UNHAPPILY it was not alone against foreign ani-
mosity that Louis XII. had, at this period, to
contend. Constant misunderstandings, which were
even said to have influenced the late defeat, had
taken place between the Due de Longueville and
M. de Piennes ; and the king became so seriously
alarmed for their consequences, upon finding that
the troops were split into factions, each siding with
their favourite commander, that he determined to
confide to the young Due de Valois the conduct of
the forthcoming campaign ; his prowess at Navara
having given him confidence alike in his personal
no THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
courage and his judgment, only insisting upon a
continuance of the same system of defensive opera-
tions of which he had already ascertained the policy.
Francis eagerly embraced this new opportunity
of distinguishing himself, and, notwithstanding his
youth, carried out the wishes of his royal uncle with
great forbearance. He marched the army back to
Encre on the Somme, where he could effectually
resist any attack, while he protected the frontier ;
and the enemy soon convinced him of the prudence
of this first measure by capitulating with the de-
fenders of Terouenne upon more favourable terms
than had previously been anticipated ; after which
Henry VIII., acting upon the selfish suggestion of
Maximilian, who had on former occasions been
frequently kept in check by that fortress, utterly
demolished the fortifications for whose possession
he had exhausted a large amount both of human
life and treasure, and then proceeded to lay siege
to Tournay.
The French monarch had, however, another
enemy to contend against. The peace of Bur-
gundy, which province the emperor had never
ceased to reclaim as the inheritance of Marie de
Bourgogne, his first wife, and the mother of his
children, was threatened with a new invasion ; . and
although the bulk of the population were decidedly
favourable to the rule of Louis, the nobility, from
old association, pecuniary interest, or national vanity,
leant generally to their ancient independence and
the sway of their hereditary dukes ; while, aware of
FRANCIS THE FIRST in
this fact, the Swiss, whose dislike to the French
monarch had never abated, and who were flushed,
even to arrogance, by their recent success at
Novara, resolved to carry .the war into Burgundy.
Some trifling insurrections had broken out in
Switzerland, and the magistrates had affected to
believe that they were instigated by French agents,
although they might have been readily traced to the
immense booty gained by the troops in the late
struggle, whence resulted every description of licen-
tiousness and disorder, naturally ending in insub-
ordination and misrule. The Helvetic diet, whose
tranquillity was disturbed by these outbreaks, was
not slow in discovering an escape-valve for the
heated and restless spirits who thus opposed its
authority, and consequently determined at once to
release itself by organizing a distant expedition, and
at the same time to recruit its treasury by the pillage
of France. A force of eighteen thousand Swiss was
accordingly collected in the different cantons, which
were reviewed on the gth of August at Zurich, and
marched on the following day, under the command
of Jacques de Watte ville, an advocate of Berne,
supported by a council formed of the chiefs of the
several divisions. They traversed Franche-Comt6
as far as Gray, where they were met, on the 27th of
the month, by the Duke Ulrich of Wirtemburg,
who was awaiting their arrival at the head of the
German and Comtois cavalry, and thence they pro-
ceeded to Dijon, which they reached on the 7th of
September.
112 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
The city was ill calculated for resistance, and
M. de la Tremouille had, with very indifferent suc-
cess, endeavoured to put it into such a state of
defence as might enable him at least to guard
against any surprise. He therefore resolved to
temporize, and, if possible, to conciliate an enemy
against which he was totally unable, with his in-
adequate force, to contend. By a lucky chance
he made prisoners of several Swiss officers in a
sally which he made on one occasion, and he
availed himself of this circumstance to impress upon
them the policy of renewing the old attachment
which had formerly subsisted between the two
countries, expatiating on the value which his own
monarch attached to their alliance, and his earnest
wish to renew the good understanding which had
been lately broken. As some among them evinced
no reluctance while listening to these arguments, he
concluded by lauding their late bravery, distributing
a few presents, which were well received, and finally
restoring them to liberty without exacting any
species of ransom, a courtesy to which they were
by no means insensible, and the good effect of
which became soon apparent by the arrival at Dijon
of a safe-conduct, and an invitation for him to pay a
visit to their chiefs. He at once accepted this over-
ture, and was so successful during the interview as to
induce his late adversaries to conclude a negotiation
which was not a mere capitulation for the beleaguered
city, or a momentary truce, but a definitive treaty,
involving not only the interests of France and
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 113
Switzerland, but also those of all Europe. By this
treaty it was arranged that he should pay over upon
the instant the sum of four hundred thousand crowns
(part of which was immediately raised among the
officers of his little army, and deposited in the
hands of the council) ; pledge himself to the liquida-
tion of all arrears of pension due to the Swiss from
France for former services performed to the resti-
tution of all cities, strongholds, or territory held by
Louis XII. which were appurtenances to the Holy
See to the speedy evacuation of the castles of
Milan, Cremona, and Asti ; and also guarantee that
the French king should renounce all future preten-
sions, both for himself and his successors, to the
duchy of Milan and the lordships of Cremona and
Asti ; and that none of the individuals who had
joined the Swiss in their expedition to Burgundy
should suffer any damage in such properties as they
might possess within the kingdom of France.
On these conditions peace and amity were to be
sworn between Louis XII., the Swiss League,
Franche-Comte, the Duke of Wurtemberg, and the
Sire de Vergy. The Pope was to be at liberty to ac-
cede to this treaty, should he see fit to do so, as were
also the emperor and the holy Roman empire ; and,
finally, M. de la Tremouille pledged himself that the
confederates should, on their return to their own
country, receive the sum of four hundred thousand
crowns, payable at Zurich, one moiety within a fort-
night after their arrival, and the remainder at the
ensuing festival of Saint Martin. As the whole
VOL. i 8
U4 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
amount of forfeit money claimed could not be collected
upon the spot, they consented to receive twenty thou-
sand crowns on account ; but, as surety for the re-
mainder, they carried away with them, in the character
of hostages, the Baron de Mezieres, the nephew of
M. de la Tremouille ; Rochefort, the Seneschal of
Dijon, and four citizens. The former having been,
however, forewarned by his relative that the treaty
would not, in all probability, be ratified, took the
first opportunity of effecting his escape.
Louis XII. either felt or affected the greatest
indignation at the concessions made by his general,
and refused to fulfil conditions which he declared to
be degrading and unfavourable to himself. He
even addressed an autograph letter to M. de la
Tremouille, in which he asserted that he considered
such a treaty as that to which he had given his
assent to be marvellously strange, a truth which
was admitted in the reply : " But, by my faith,
Sire," added the straightforward soldier, " I was
constrained to give it by the wretched provision
which had been made for the preservation of your
kingdom."
The displeasure of the king was of short dura-
tion ; and although he still adhered to his resolution
of resisting the conditions of the treaty, he never-
theless endeavoured to conciliate the Swiss, and
empowered M. de la Tremouille to raise a loan of
fifty thousand crowns in Burgundy, to satisfy the
most importunate of their demands. He even con-
descended to dissimulate, and sought to gain time,
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 115
but he could not deceive the Swiss, who, already
prejudiced against him, felt that they were over-
reached, and vowed a vengeance which they fear-
fully executed during the succeeding reign.
Fortune had declared itself adverse to Louis ;
nor were his allies exempted from their own share
of disaster. The Venetians were signally defeated
by the Spaniards, and the unhappy James IV. of
Scotland lost his life at Flodden Field. The
French king had, however, no time to indulge
regret for the reverses of others. On the I5th of
September Maximilian and Henry had, as we have
already stated, sat down before Tournay, which,
situated within the boundary of the Low Countries,
had enjoyed a government almost republican under
the protection of France, and considered as one of
its most precious privileges its exemption from the
necessity of admitting a garrison within its walls.
Consequently, when, at the commencement of the
campaign, Louis had offered to send them troops for
their defence, they arrogantly replied that " Tour-
nay had never yet turned, and would not turn now "
a vaunt which left them in the power of their
enemies, who treated with contempt the undis-
ciplined citizens by whom they were opposed, and
in the course of a few hours stormed their walls
and compelled them to a capitulation, wherein, how-
ever, Henry VIII. guaranteed to them the con-
tinuance of their privileges.
After having made his entrance into the city with
a puerile ostentation totally disproportioned to the
Ii6 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
circumstances, and which tended to excite the
ridicule of all by whom it was witnessed, Henry,
satisfied with the result of a campaign which, had
it been efficiently conducted, must have tended to
enhance both his own honour and the interests of
his kingdom, returned at once to England, and thus
relieved the French king from an enemy who might
at any moment have become formidable.
On the 1 3th of March 1514 a treaty was signed
at Orleans by the several sovereigns who had been
engaged in the wars of Italy, by which a truce of
twelve months was determined on ; while the Swiss,
who were not included in the negotiation, laid down
their arms in accordance with that of Dijon. Louis
XII. had acceded to all the demands of the Pope,
and no longer possessed any portion of the papal
states, a circumstance which afforded great relief to
the mind of Anne de Bretagne, but which was never-
theless so far from conducing, as she had antici-
pated, to the restoration of her shattered health,
that, although she eagerly watched the progress of
events which were rapidly working out this result,
she was not destined to witness it ; for, at the close
of the previous campaign, when her royal husband,
after having distributed his forces in the fortified
places of Picardy, returned to Blois for the winter,
he found her sinking under the disease to which she
had long been a victim, and which finally terminated
her life on the 9th of January.
The grief of the king was unbounded when he
became convinced that she had really ceased to
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 117
exist, and when, on the following Friday, her body
had been conveyed with great magnificence to St.
Denis, and there pompously interred, he immedi-
ately retired to the Bois de Vincennes, where,
during eight days, he shut himself into his private
apartments, forbidding all access to his person, in
order that he might give free course to his grief.
He not only assumed a sable habit himself, in con-
formity with the taste of his lost wife, but he com-
pelled his whole Court to do the same ; nor would
he, when he again appeared in public, receive any
foreign ambassador who was not similarly attired.
Nevertheless, he did not fail in the pledge which
he had given to the States-General at Tours, and
on the loth of May the Princesse Claude was
publicly married, at St. Germain- en -Laye, to her
cousin the Due de Valois. But even upon this
occasion the king would not permit that the
mourning garments of his Court should be laid
aside ; and accordingly an old chronicler quoted
by Brantome declares that "when he gave his
daughter to M. d'Angouleme, afterwards King
Francis, the mourning was not remitted by his
Court ; and on the day of the espousals in the
chapel of St. Germain -en -Laye the bridegroom
and the bride were simply attired in black cloth,
handsomely, and in funereal fashion, for the
death of the before-mentioned queen, Madame
Anne de Bretagne, in the presence of the king
her father, accompanied by all the princes of the
blood, and noble lords, and prelates, and prin-
Ii8 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
cesses, and ladies, each dressed in a mourning robe
of black."
How evil an omen was this for the gentle-
hearted Princesse Claude !
The marriage was no sooner accomplished than
Louis XII. invested his son-in-law with the ad-
ministration of the duchy of Brittany somewhat,
as the Breton historians declare, contrary to his
wishes ; but although Madame Claude de France,
who was its heiress, had espoused the presumptive
heir to the crown, the contract by which they were
united contained no clause which assured to her
husband the actual possession of the coveted duchy ;
while this circumstance was rendered still more
unpalatable to the young prince by the fact that,
about the same period, Louis was himself induced
by his counsellors to entertain the project of a third
marriage, than which no step could have been more
inimical to the prospects of Francis, while the selec-
tion ultimately made by the king and his advisers
was probably as little calculated to ensure his own
happiness, had the union been fated to be of long
duration.
Still newly widowed, and deeply attached to the
memory of Anne de Bretagne, for whose sake he
had repudiated his first wife, state policy on the one
hand, and on the other his anxiety to become the
father of a son to whom he might bequeath his
crown, induced the French king to lend a willing
ear to the suggestions of those about him, and
although in his fifty-third year, when his constitu-
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 119
tion had become seriously undermined by severe
and constant attacks of gout, to give a new queen
to France. The Austrian party formed by Anne
de Bretagne, fearing the future influence of Louise
de Savoie when her son should attain the throne,
having been unable to prevent the marriage of
Francis with the Princesse Claude, assailed the
king with perpetual expostulations, and proposed
to him, in the first place, the hand of Margaret
of Austria, Gouvernante of the Low Countries ; but
although this princess, owing to her betrothal to
the dauphin, had been educated at the Court of
France, and had, at that period, interested the
affections of Louis, then Due d'Orleans, she had
now attained her thirty-fourth year, and was the
childless widow of two husbands, a sterility which
he declared to be an insuperable objection to their
alliance. Ferdinand of Spain then offered to him
Eleanora of Austria, 1 the niece of Margaret, and
sister of the Archduke Charles, at that time in the
very bloom of youth. To this union Louis ad-
vanced no objection, the rather as it was to form
the pledge of a reconciliation between himself,
Maximilian, and Ferdinand ; nor did the three
monarchs lose any time in deciding on the outline
1 Eleanora of Austria was the daughter of Philip I. of Spain, and
the sister of the Emperor Charles V. Born at Louvain in 1498,
she married, in 1519, Emmanuel, King of Portugal; and after his
death, which occurred in 1530, she became Queen of France by
her second marriage with Francis I. This union was extremely
unhappy, owing to the passion of the monarch for the beautiful
Duchesse d'Etampes. When once more left a widow in 1547 she
withdrew to Spain, and died in 1558 without issue.
120 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
of a treaty to be executed at the expense of their
ancient allies, the English, the Venetians, and the
Swiss.
This project was, however, rendered abortive
by the suspicions of Henry VIII., which suggested
some occult and important reason for the delay of
Maximilian in concluding the nuptials of the Arch-
duke Charles with the Princess Mary of England,
his own sister. Nor was it long ere they were
confirmed through the agency of the Due de
Longueville, who had been taken prisoner at the
" Battle of the Spurs," and whom the pleasure-loving
king had admitted to his intimacy, and favoured so
greatly that he was in the habit of playing tennis
with him, and permitting him to win until he had
gained the sum appointed for his ransom, which
amounted to fifty thousand crowns.
The resentment of the English monarch upon
finding himself duped both by Maximilian and
Ferdinand encouraged the duke, during their fre-
quent conversations, to introduce upon every favour-
able occasion some well-timed allusion to the injury
sustained by both France and England from the
continuation of a war which exhausted the resources
of both without benefit to either, and to propose
a peace which he was aware would be highly wel-
come to his own sovereign. As Henry listened
without any manifestation of displeasure to these
frequent hints, De Longueville became in time
still more explicit. He at length insinuated that
the death of Anne de Bretagne had opened up a
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 121
medium of union between the two nations which
might tend to their mutual advantage ; declaring, at
the same time, that although the marriage of a
princess of sixteen with a sovereign of fifty-three
might appear in some respects unsuitable, yet that
this inequality in years would find its compensation
in many circumstances too obvious to be over-
looked, and of which he would consequently adduce
but one, namely, that Henry would, by acceding
to an alliance between his sister and the French
king, withdraw himself from the perfidious Fer-
dinand, upon whose faith he could no longer rely,
and connect himself and his interests for life with
those of a prince whose probity and honour were
above suspicion.
The English monarch listened, and was con-
vinced. Broken faith and a harassing war on the
one side, and a firm ally and speedy peace on the
other, left little opportunity for hesitation ; and
accordingly, about two months subsequent to the
death of Anne de Bretagne, Louis XII., who readily
welcomed the prospect of a union which would
convert a formidable enemy into a fast friend, de-
puted De Longueville, whose ransom had been
paid in English crowns, and whose liberty had been
thus easily acquired, to ask for him the hand of the
young and beautiful Princess Mary, the affianced
but unclaimed bride of Charles of Austria.
The articles were concluded, after some diffi-
culties, originating in the desire of Louis to hasten
the decision of his brother-monarch by a hostile
122 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
demonstration, on the pretext that Henry had not
yet ratified the treaty of Orleans, which he effected
by marching eight thousand men and a brigade
of artillery against the castle of Guines, near Calais ;
a want of tact of which he was immediately made
conscious by the indignant retort of the English
sovereign, who at once resented the practical threat
by declaring that he had an army of twenty thou-
sand men ready to cross the Channel in defence of
his stronghold, if need be.
This mutual defiance necessarily caused a tem-
porary suspension of the negotiations of marriage;
but the Due de Longueville, unwilling to see all
his exertions rendered nugatory, addressed himself
at this delicate juncture to Wolsey, then Bishop
of Lincoln, and, authorized by his royal master,
made such proposals to the English minister as
induced him to espouse his cause. The anger of
Henry gave way before the flattering overtures of
the French plenipotentiary, and it was ultimately
agreed that the marriage should take place, upon
condition that Tournay should remain in the hands
of the English ; that Richard de la Pole, 1 then an
exile in France, and who affected to revive the pre-
tensions of the house of York, should be banished
to Metz, and remain a pensioner of the French
king ; that Henry should receive the payment of
a million of crowns, being the arrears due by treaty
to his father and himself; and that the royal bride
1 Richard de la Pole was the fourth son of Elizabeth, sister of
Edward IV.
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 123
should be portioned with four hundred thousand
crowns, and enjoy as large a jointure as any pre-
vious queen of France, not even excepting her
immediate predecessor, Anne de Bretagne, although
the latter had been heiress of Brittany.
Not only were the respective ages of the con-
tracting parties wholly disproportioned, but the
previous education of Mary had rendered her in
every respect ill-suited to perform the duties which
she was thus called upon so suddenly to fulfil. Her
heart had, moreover, already been bestowed else-
where ; while, as she afterwards proved, her affec-
tions were by no means so stable as to hold out
any rational hope that she would attach herself in
earnest and good faith to her mature husband,
although she had been so well tutored in courtly
dissimulation as effectually to conceal her real feel-
ings. Having lost her mother when she was only
five years of age, she had been allowed a greater
license of thought and action than was compatible
with her sex and rank ; and although scarcely
sixteen at the period of her marriage, she had
already encouraged the attentions of Charles Bran-
don, Duke of Suffolk, the foster-brother and
favourite of Henry VIII., whose comparatively
obscure birth had been concealed, even if not for-
gotten, under the splendour of his new title. The
partiality of the king and his own universal popu-
larity rendered the new-made duke bold ; while
the evident admiration of Mary, upon whom his
great personal beauty and manly bearing had not
124 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
failed to produce their effect, combined with the
constant opportunities which were afforded to him
of prosecuting his ambitious suit, would probably
have ensured its ultimate success had not the over-
tures of Louis at once opened the eyes of the
English monarch to the impolicy of such a con-
cession.
Thus far Mary was beyond all doubt more to
be commiserated than condemned, and had she
more perfectly fulfilled her mission as a wife and
a queen, every heart must have sympathized in
the cruel constraint to which she had been sub-
jected ; but she was vain, reckless, and careless
of that dignity which would have compelled respect,
and taught those who approached her to overlook
the young and blooming woman in the self-con-
trolled and virtuous sovereign.
Before the ratification of the marriage -treaty
the princess declared, in the presence of a notary
and witnesses, that she had pledged her faith by
compulsion to the Archduke Charles, who was to
have married her by proxy on attaining his four-
teenth year, which he had failed to do ; and she
further asserted that she had received assurances
to the effect that his counsellors and confidential
friends had exerted all their influence to infuse into
his mind a spirit of resentment against, and dislike
to, her royal brother.
The treaty was then completed, and the months
of August and September were spent in making the
necessary preparations for the voyage of the young
iS3-i4 FRANCIS THE FIRST 125
queen one of the conditions agreed upon having
been that Henry should defray all the outlay of her
journey to Abbeville, and that one moiety of her
dower should be expended in jewels.
On the 1 3th of August the marriage took place
by proxy at Greenwich, the Due de Longueville
representing his royal master ; after which the prin-
cess crossed to Boulogne, attended by a splendid
retinue, where she was received upon her landing by
the Due de Vendome, who a day or two subse-
quently conducted her to Abbeville. The king,
whose impatience had been excited by the florid
descriptions which he had heard of her beauty, and
who was anxious to ascertain their truth, had already
arrived in that city ; but, unable to control his desire
to see her at the earliest moment, he mounted his
horse and proceeded to a village upon the road,
where they were privately introduced, and he
remained for a few moments in conversation with
his bride and the triumphant ambassador. Fas-
cinated and elated, he then returned to Abbeville as
unostentatiously as he had left it; while the prin-
cess continued her stately progress to the city gates,
where she was welcomed according to the prescribed
ceremonial by the Due de Valois, and greeted by a
succession of the most costly and magnificent page-
ants that human ingenuity and knightly courtesy
could invent.
We have already alluded to the brilliance of the
young queen's retinue, which was worthy the sister
of one sovereign and the bride of another ; but per-
126 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
haps the most interesting circumstance connected
with it exists in the fact that the fair and unfortunate
Anne Boleyn, then in her first girlhood, was one of
her four maids of honour, and of the thirty-six female
attendants by whom she was accompanied.
Even at that early age, however, it would appear,
from the testimony of a contemporary historian, that
the Court beauty had already imbibed that thirst for
admiration and that baneful ambition which were
fated to be her downfall ; for when, by her grace and
beauty, and above all by the seductive attraction of
her manner and the vivacity of her intellect, she
had captivated the mind of the Princesse Claude to
such an extent that she caused her to be attached to
her own household, she soon wearied of the whole-
some restraints to which she was there subjected,
and passed into the suite of the Duchesse d'Alen-
^on, where she became the idol of the courtiers by
whom she was surrounded, and whose attentions she
encouraged until she felt that they w r ere likely to
interfere with her more serious projects.
The impression produced upon the feelings of
Louis XII. by the extraordinary loveliness of his
new consort has been duly recorded by all contem-
porary historians, but the emotions of the young
and blooming princess, thus abruptly compelled to
receive to her heart the mature and already infirm
monarch, have nowhere been registered. Suffice it,
that the marriage was once more celebrated at Abbe-
ville on the nth of October, and that an alliance
which had originally been dictated by state policy was
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 127
at once cemented by the charms of the girl-queen ;
while it was rendered as welcome to the nation as to
its monarch by the fact that it put a termination to a
disastrous war with England and to some difficult
negotiations with Austria.
The ceremony was not performed in the cathe-
dral, but in a vast saloon of the palace, which was
hung throughout with cloth of gold, and so spacious
that all present could command a view of the
contracting parties. The king and queen were
seated side by side under a canopy at the upper end
of the apartment, and the royal bride, with her hair
totally unconfined, and scattered over her shoulders,
wore a small hat above the luxuriant tresses, which
were unanimously declared to be unrivalled through-
out Christendom, in lieu of the crown which could
be assumed only when her coronation took place at
St. Denis. The Due d'Angouleme officiated as
bridesman, and the Princesse Claude was the prin-
cipal attendant of the bride, although her fair brow
was clouded as she remembered the recent death of
her mother. A splendid banquet, followed by a ball,
concluded the ceremony ; after which the Court pro-
ceeded to St. Denis, where, on the 5th of November,
the ceremonial of Mary's coronation took place with
great pomp in the cathedral ; and on the succeeding
day she made her entry into Paris as Queen of
France, accompanied not only by all that was great
and noble in the country, but also by her English
suite and a number of foreigners of distinction, all of
whom were entertained during the marriage festivi-
128 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
ties at the expense of the king. These tourneys
and banquets were continued for the space of six
weeks, after which the English retinue of the young
queen returned home laden with valuable presents,
leaving the Duke of Suffolk as ambassador at the
French Court, a short-sighted piece of policy, of
which Henry VIII. in after-life would assuredly
never have been guilty.
The advent of the new sovereign at once changed
the mourning of the Court into festivity and splen-
dour ; nor was it long ere the fancy, if not the heart,
of Mary became thralled by the handsome person
and chivalric accomplishments of the young Due de
Valois ; while not even the recollection that he was
the husband of her step-daughter sufficed to compel
her to that self-control which might have concealed
her weakness. Suffolk himself was forgotten in this
new passion, and by her own levity and want of
caution it ere long became a subject of comment to
the whole Court. In the tilts and joustings which
daily succeeded each other for her entertainment,
Francis was, unhappily, always the most prominent
figure ; thus affording a dangerous contrast to her
royal husband, who, despite the efforts which he
made to assimilate himself in prowess with the young
and gallant cavaliers about him, soon evinced unequi-
vocal symptoms of his inability to persevere in such a
career of dissipation and fatigue.
The natural result supervened ; Louis in a short
time fell into a state of langour and exhaustion
which betrayed that overtaxed nature was revenging
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 129
herself for these untimely excesses, and the hopes
of Francis once more became buoyant. Meanwhile,
however, he succeeded in establishing a closer inti-
macy between his young stepmother and his gentle
wife, by which he was enabled to enjoy the society
of the former without any apparent effort, and at the
same time to secure himself against any new rival in
her affections.
To the Princesse Claude such a friend was doubly
welcome from the fact that she already suffered
severely under the rigorous rule of Louise de Savoie,
who, profiting by her timid and yielding nature,
revenged upon the daughter her old hatred of the
dead parent, and condemned her to a life of almost
perfect seclusion, in which she was wholly dependant
for amusement upon the nunlike^ court which had
been formed for her, her breviary, and her spinning-
wheel. Little did the pure-hearted and neglected
wife of the brilliant Francis apprehend, when she
received with sisterly affection the beautiful young
queen, that she was daily undermining her in the
affections of a husband whom she idolized. But
this, according to Brantome, did not fail to come to
pass. Mary was, on her side, as much dazzled by
the showy qualities of Francis as he was enthralled
by her surpassing beauty ; nor was it long ere she
listened without displeasure to an avowal of his pas-
sion, rendered doubly culpable from their relative
position. M. de Grignaud also, a noble of Peri-
gord, who had been chevalier cChonneur to Anne de
Bretagne, and then held the same office under Mary,
VOL. i 9
130 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, v
considered it necessary to warn the Due de Valois
against the possible consequences of so undue an
intimacy ; and upon finding his remonstrances
disregarded, subsequently informed Louise de Savoie
of the peril to her son's interests which must super-
vene, in order that she might keep a strict watch
over the progress of their attachment.
That Mary should ever have contemplated so hein-
ous a crime is, however, more than improbable. Guilt
is ever prone to assume a veil of caution and dis-
simulation, while there was nothing bordering upon
these in her common deportment. On the contrary,
she constantly addressed the duke as " my son-in-
law," and admitted him publicly to all the privileges
of so near a connection ; openly evincing the prefer-
ence which she felt for his society, and exceeding on
many occasions the limits which a more delicately
constituted mind would have conceded even to the
claim of so intimate a relationship. That she not
only admired Francis, but also loved him, is her
reproach ; and that reproach should surely suffice
for it was a heavy one.
The subsequent attempt imputed to her by the
same authority to impose a surreptitious heir upon the
nation is deserving of quite as little credit ; for Mary,
who had already given proof of her aptitude in con-
forming herself to circumstances in the almost affec-
tionate letters which she had addressed to Louis
XII. before their marriage, and who, on the demise
of the king, saw herself closely surrounded by the
very individuals who were the most vitally concerned
1513-14 FRANCIS THE FIRST 131
in unmasking such a deception, was not likely to
degrade alike herself and her high station by so base
and shallow an artifice ; while her almost immediate
union with the Duke of Suffolk, however much it
tended to confirm the previous opinion of her levity,
is nevertheless also the best refutation of the coarse
and unmanly slander. That she was eminently im-
prudent during the brief period of her royalty is un-
fortunately undeniable, but from imprudence there is,
happily, a long step to flagrant culpability. In any
case, she was not long destined to retain the dignity
of Queen of France, for she had been but eighty-
two days a wife ere she became a widow. The first
symptoms of the langour which proved fatal to Louis
XII. manifested themselves, as we have already
stated, before the festivities consequent upon his mar-
riage had yet terminated. An alarming attack of
gout supervened, and he became so much enfeebled
by its violence that he was at length compelled to
attend the jousts and tourneys upon a litter ; while
so rapidly did the disease progress that ere long he
was unable to leave his bed. Nevertheless his phy-
sicians, unwilling to believe that he was really sink-
ing, continued to declare that he would rally ; but
Louis himself repudiated the idea. He too surely
felt that the grasp of death was upon him, and met
his fate with a calmness worthy of a great monarch
and an honest man.
When he became conscious that his end was
near he summoned the young Due de Valois to
his bedside, and having, with considerable difficulty,
132 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, v
raised himself to a sitting posture, flung his arms
about his neck, and embracing him with affectionate
emotion said feebly, but firmly, " Francis, I am
dying ! I consign our subjects to your care." The
prince burst into tears, and implored him to dismiss
such gloomy thoughts, as his physicians augured
more favourably. The dying king, however, only
shook his head ; he was aware that earthly help
could avail him no longer, and as his weeping
successor established himself beside his pillow, he
exerted his last remaining powers to impress upon
him the awful extent of the responsibility with
which he would, in a few hours, be invested.
Acute suffering at length terminated his efforts,
and he expired in the arms of his royal nephew,
with a smile of gratified affection upon his lips.
Thus, while yet deeply enamoured of his fair
young wife, surrounded by worldly grandeur and
festivity, and meditating in his graver moments
future expeditions against Italy, Louis XII., whose
hurried journey to receive his bride, and whose
exertions during the subsequent rejoicings to
assume the semblance of a youth and vigour which
he no longer possessed, had overtaxed his physical
powers, fell a victim to his imprudence about midnight
of the ist of January 1515.
CHAPTER VI
1515
The queen cedes her estates to her husband The Bretons disallow her right
Enthusiasm of the French people on the accession of Francis His
coronation His interview with Queen Mary His caution to Suffolk
Brandon marries the widowed queen Is reproached by Francis for his
perfidy But reconciled to Henry at the entreaty of his wife, and returns
to England Francis makes his public entry into Paris His profusion
His romantic tastes His high spirit He forms his government Charles
de Bourbon created Constable of France Marriage of Mademoiselle de
Bourbon with the Due de Lorraine The king and the wild boar The
court of Madame d'Angouleme Her maids of honour Circle of the
queen Her love of retirement Francis resolves to recover the Milanese
The Archduke Charles sends Ambassadors to France Is promised the
hand of the Princesse Renee, the queen's sister Henry of Nassau He
marries Claudine de Chalon State of Europe Treaty between France
and England Francis endeavours to conciliate the Swiss They threaten
to invade France Francis marches a strong force towards Burgundy
Ferdinand endeavours to alarm the Pope and the emperor Francis
removes to Amboise, and sends an embassy to Rome.
FRANCIS I. was no sooner proclaimed king than
Queen Claude, in consideration of the pledge which
he had given to provide the dowry of the Princesse
Renee, her sister, formally ceded to him the duchy
of Brittany and the counties of Nantes, Blois,
Etampes, and Montfort, to be enjoyed and go-
verned during his life, as veritable Duke of
Brittany.
This first cession took place on the 22d of April,
but on the 28th of June following, as it did not by
any means secure to her royal husband the whole
134 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
extent of the desired benefit, the queen was induced
to execute a new deed, by which she conferred these
privileges upon him for ever, in failure of her own
children, should they die before him. This wife-
like divestiture was, however, only partially valid,
as the marriage-contract of Anne de Bretagne had
distinctly endowed her second son with the posses-
sion and sovereignty of the duchy ; while, as there
had been a failure of male issue, and the clause had
never been revised, the Bretons, who were anxious
to throw off the yoke of French supremacy, and
who contended that the crowns of Brittany and
France could not legally be united upon the same
head unless it were that of an only son, would not
admit the claim of Claude, but declared the right
of succession to be in favour of her younger sister ;
this alienation and disposal having been, moreover,
stipulated when negotiations were pending for a
marriage between Madame Claude and the Count
of Luxembourg. In this opinion they were sup-
ported by another clause, which bestowed the duchy
upon the second child, were it male or female ; and
in virtue of the said contract the Bretons declared
that the Princesse Renee was the legitimate
heiress.
Consequently the donation made by the queen
of Francis I. met with no ratification from the
Bretons themselves ; and the rather that there still
existed certain families in the duchy who possessed
collateral claims to the succession, but who, seeing
the king already the father of a young family, every
1 5 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 135
individual of which must inherit before them, re-
mained passive, and awaited future events.
The acclamations of the army, the lays of the
most distinguished national poets, the tumultuous
shouting of the vassals, and the congratulations
of all the feudatory nobles, were the welcome
of Francis as he ascended the throne of France.
His first act of royalty was to proclaim a suspen-
sion of arms, and once more the country for a brief
space breathed freely. On the 25th of January he
was crowned with great pomp at the cathedral of
Rheims by Robert de Lenoncourt, Archbishop of
Paris ; and never had either of those two great
cities made so profuse a display of magnificence
as upon that occasion ; while previously, as if to
refute the most heinous slander of Brantome on
Queen Mary, a contemporary writer asserts that
Francis waited upon her daily to condole with her
upon her bereavement, accompanied by Madame
Claude his wife, during the lapse of six weeks the
period assigned for the royal widows of France to
remain in their beds, seeing no light save that of
the wax tapers by which their apartments were illu-
minated and that he then and there formally de-
manded to know whether he might consider himself
as the legitimate sovereign of France, a question
which she alone was competent to answer, when
the young widow at once and unhesitatingly replied
that such he was.
Moreover, Francis had long been cognisant of
the attachment which had formerly existed between
136 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
Mary and Suffolk, and formally warned the latter
against any proceeding which might excite the dis-
pleasure of the English monarch.
" I am aware, duke," he said gravely, "of your
whole history, of your affection for the queen of
Louis XII., of the influence which you possess in
England, and of much more than you can be pre-
pared to suppose. I am anxious that nothing should
occur to dishonour me, nor to cause umbrage to my
brother, the King of England, towards whom I
desire to exhibit the same friendship and cordiality
which were felt by the late king, my father-in-law.
I therefore entreat of you not to take any steps
which may involve our good understanding ; and
should a promise have been exchanged between
yourself and the queen, to be careful of my dignity,
by taking immediate measures to secure the approval
of the king your master, and by inducing him to
inform me in writing of his good pleasure, at which
I shall rejoice should it be favourable to your wishes.
But, if it prove otherwise, I warn you on your life
to beware of what you do, for should you disobey
me I will make you bitterly repent your impru-
dence."
This caution the duke received without evinc-
ing the slightest resentment, declaring on oath that
he would attempt nothing derogatory to his own
honour or to the will of the king his master ; a
pledge which he, however, falsified almost on the
instant, urged, as some historians declare, by the
representations and entreaties of Mary herself; for
FRANCIS THE FIRST 137
only four or five days subsequently to this interview
a secret marriage took place, and the dowager-queen
of France became Duchess of Suffolk.
Francis, indignant at this want of faith, sum-
moned the duke to his presence, and reproached
him vehemently for his perfidy. He even con-
cluded his remarks by saying, " If I were strictly
to perform my duty, I should, this very hour, strike
your head from your shoulders, for you have vio-
lated your oath."
The duke, terrified by the menace, hastened to
justify himself. " I beseech of you, Sire," he ex-
claimed, " to pardon me. I confess that I have
erred ; but I entreat your majesty to remember the
strength of the affection by which I have been
misled, and to extend your mercy in so extreme a
case."
"Sir," was the stern reply, "you require more
than I am disposed to grant ; for you appear on
your part to have forgotten that the lady whom
you have induced to become your wife was not
only a princess of England but also the dowager-
queen of France. Let the king your master only
require it of me, and I shall at once know how to
avenge alike his dignity and my own."
But however the young king might have felt it
incumbent upon him to exhibit this indignation, it
is not the less certain that the clandestine marriage
of Mary with one of her brother's subjects was by
no means unwelcome to him, as it precluded the
possibility of her hand being hereafter bestowed
138 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
upon some prince who might be at enmity with
France, and induce the English monarch to espouse
his interests ; a consideration which decided him, in
accordance with the request of the queen-duchess,
to intercede with Henry VIII., and to procure the
pardon of the culprits. In this undertaking he
easily succeeded, the influence of the favourite
being still great over the mind of his royal master ;
and he then lost no time before governed by the
same policy, and, moreover, instigated beyond all
doubt by the human weakness which, whatever
might be his own line of conduct, led him to con-
ceal the mortification that a nature so vain as his
could not fail to experience on perceiving the faci-
lity with which Mary had cast off the yoke of his
fascinations and restored her wavering affection to
its first object Francis hastened to repay to the
princess the dowry which she had brought to Louis
XII., and to expedite her return to England with
her new bridegroom.
The solemn entry of the young king into his
good city of Paris was hailed with delight. His
commanding person, splendid horsemanship, and
urbane deportment won all hearts, and made his
progress one unbroken triumph. All the princes
and noble ladies of the kingdom, as well as many
foreigners of rank, were in his train. Jousts and
tourneys occupied the succeeding days, at the whole
of which the high-born dames and damsels of the
Court were present, as well as at the balls and
banquets, which filled the streets with equipages
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 139
and torchlight throughout the entire nights. Above
twelve hundred princes, dukes, counts, and cavaliers
assisted at these memorable festivities, which were
rendered still more brilliant by the presence of the
queen, the Comtesse d'Angouleme, Madame de
Bourbon, and all the ladies of their respective
suites. Nor did even this magnificence suffice to
satisfy the superb tastes of Francis, for he no
sooner felt the crown firmly fixed upon his brow
than he became anxious to exhibit his splendour
to the whole of his people ; and accordingly, as if
to form as startling a contrast as possible with the
staid and sober state of his predecessor, the Court
galas were divested of their exclusiveness, and not
only the whole of the nobility but even the bour-
geoisie were admitted, a popular measure, which
for a time blinded all ranks to the enormous outlay
that they involved ; and it was not until it was
found necessary to increase the national taxes, in
order to supply the exhausted treasury, that the
more prudent of the citizens began to question the
expediency of thus impoverishing the revenues of
the country for the mere purposes of amusement.
The young king no sooner found himself at
liberty to regulate his own studies than he laid
aside all books, save those chivalrous romances in
which, from his earliest boyhood, he had delighted,
and upon which he sought to model his own
character. Nor was it long ere he infected all the
young nobles about his person with the same ex-
travagant and romantic fancy. The Knights of the
140 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
Round Table became the models of the French
courtiers, and the palace of Charlemagne their ideal
habitation ; while the beauties of the Court eagerly
welcomed a state of society in which they were out-
wardly worshipped as goddesses, despite the con-
cealed contempt which the frailties of too many
among them might induce. Moreover, Louise de
Savoie, who idolized her son, and was proud of his
personal beauty and accomplishments, in order to
retain her power over his mind, encouraged him in
every caprice which could flatter his vanity or
consolidate her own influence ; and she, conse-
quently, offered rather furtherance than objection
to a puerile ambition beneath the dignity of a great
monarch, who soon learned to consider animal
courage as the highest virtue to which a sovereign
could attain, and to neglect the more important
tactics of modern warfare, while he attached an
undue value to mere personal prowess.
Nor was this vital mistake in the field compen-
sated by prudence in the internal economy of the
nation, for, already constitutionally enamoured of
whatever was magnificent and striking, the favourite
studies of Francis led him to suppose that all minor
considerations should give way before the regal
state by which it was his passion to surround him-
self; a fatal error, which was destined to be
expiated by his subjects ; while, in order the more
thoroughly to embody the personage of his excit-
able imagination, he taught himself to believe that
a monarch who was also a true knight should
i5 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 141
neither give battle nor retreat before a superior
force. His leading ambition was to be at once a
great king and a preux chevalier courteous and
liberal towards the other sex, and absolute with his
own. To him the members of the national parlia-
ments, the most powerful of his nobility, and the
bulk of his people, were alike as regarded his sove-
reign will and rule ; he admitted no opposition to
his power, recognized no right of opinion save his
own, and brooked neither dissent nor delay when
once his pleasure was made known.
These were sufficiently dangerous elements in
the nature of one called at so early an age to
govern a great nation ; but the redeeming quality
of Francis was an elevation of character that led
him to emulate both the physical and moral heroism
of which he had made his idol ; and thus his very
errors wore an aspect of kingly splendour which
dazzled even those who were capable of appreciating
their danger, and which has subsequently served as
their palliation with the majority of his historians.
Moreover, the young monarch, reared in the midst
of an admiring court, had imbibed no prejudices
and nourished no jealousies. The liberality of
Louis XII., who had been too high-minded to treat
him with distrust because he was destined to succeed
to the crown, had effectually prevented the existence
of all cabals and party-spirit ; and thus his first act
of royal power was not, as is so frequently the case
on an accession, to displace, but to confirm, the
ministers of the late king in their several offices,
142 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
while he was equally regardful of his personal
friends.
Upon his mother Francis bestowed the title of
duchess, with an increased revenue, and the palace
of Amboise as a residence. His sister Marguerite
was invested with the dignity of Madame, and was
thenceforward called both Madame de France and
Madame de Valois, while two years subsequently
she was created Duchesse de Berri. The vacant
office of Constable of France was, at her earnest
request, bestowed upon Charles de Montpensier,
who had, by his marriage with his cousin Suzanne,
daughter and heiress of the Sire de Beaujeu and
Madame Anne de France, become Due de Bourbon,
a marriage in which, notwithstanding the amiable
qualities possessed by both parties, no happiness
could be anticipated, from the fact that bride and
bridegroom had alike already bestowed their affec-
tions elsewhere, and to which a desire to escape
from certain disagreeable discussions which might
have arisen from sundry clauses in the will of a
common ancestor of the two contracting parties
had alone induced Charles to consent.
In conferring the dignity of constable upon the
duke, Francis I. had made a great concession to his
affection for Marguerite, for he had never forgotten
the quarrel which had taken place between them ten
years previously at the castle of Amboise ; and the
favour was enhanced by the fact that, since the
treason of Saint-Pol, 1 in the reign of Louis XL,
1 Louis de Luxembourg, Comte de Saint-Pol, was born about
1 5 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 143
this, the highest official dignity in the kingdom, had
only been granted long subsequently to the death of
that noble by Anne de France, then Dame de
Beaujeu, to the Due Jean de Bourbon, her hus-
band's elder brother ; while, since that period, the
post had remained vacant, and was supposed to be
virtually annulled, although not formally abolished,
neither Charles VIII. nor Louis XII. having ap-
pointed a successor to Jean de Bourbon. The
Comte de Vendome became Governor of the Isle
of France ; M. de Lautrec l was invested with the
government of Guienne ; Bonnivet was created
1430. He at first took up arms for the English, but subsequently
made his submission to Charles VII. of France. He became the
constant companion of the dauphin, and assisted at the taking of the
Xorman towns from the English in 1449. He commanded the
vanguard at the battle of Montlhery, and Louis XL, in order to
detach him from the Duke of Burgundy, to whose interests he
leaned, made him Constable of France. Saint-Pol took the cities of
Saint-Quentin and Amiens from Charles the Bold ; but, impelled by
the spirit of intrigue with which he was possessed, he endeavoured
to create discord between the two princes, who, ultimately perceiving
that he was betraying them both, agreed to render him the victim of
his own duplicity. An opportunity of doing this soon presented
itself by his proposing to open the gates of the fortresses on the
Somme to Edward of England, while at the same time he renewed
his offers of service to Louis. Seized as a traitor, he was committed
to the Bastille, and finally beheaded in the Place de Greve in 1475.
1 Odet de Foix, Sire de Lautrec, Mardchal de France, accom-
panied Louis XII. in his expedition in Italy, and entered Genoa
with him in I 507. The cousin and comrade-in-arms of Gaston de
Foix, who was killed at the battle of Ravenna in 1 5 1 2, he defended
him courageously until he himself fell covered with wounds, none of
which, however, proved mortal. In 1521 Lautrec was appointed
Lieutenant-General of Francis I. in Italy. Compelled by his troops
to engage the enemy, he was vanquished at Bicocca, and returned
to Paris, after having lost the Milanese. He returned to Italy in
1525 and retook Genoa, Alexandria, and Pavia, and in 1528 fell a
victim to a fever engendered by the excessive heat to which he had
been exposed during the campaign.
144 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
Admiral of the Fleet ; the Sire de la Palice was
made Marshal of France ; M. de Boissy, who had
completed the education of the young king, received
the appointment of Grand Master, vacated by the
promotion of M. de la Palice, as well as the superin-
tendence of affairs ; and Antoine Duprat, 1 the
protegd of Madame d'Angouleme, was, at her
earnest request, created Chancellor of the Kingdom.
This was the most unfortunate of all the appoint-
ments made by Francis, as to the machinations of
this unworthy minister many of the subsequent
calamities of his reign have been universally attri-
buted. Rendered far-sighted by his ambition,
Duprat had, pending the misunderstanding which
existed between Anne de Bretagne and Louise de
Savoie (at which period he was first president of the
parliament of Paris), attached himself to the party
of the latter during her temporary exile from the
Court, assisted her with his advice and support, and
finally secured her unbounded gratitude.
As an equivalent for this unhappy selection of a
chancellor, Francis, however, distinguished by his
most marked affection and favour Anne, Seigneur
de Montmorency, 2 and Philippe Chabot, Sire de
1 Antoine Duprat was born at Issoire, in Auvergne, in 1463. It
was by his advice that Francis I. abolished the pragmatic sanction,
and offered judicial appointments for sale, as well as imposing rents
upon the Hotel de Ville. After the death of his wife he embraced
the ecclesiastical profession, and became, first Archbishop of Sens,
and subsequently a cardinal. He died in 1535.
2 Anne de Montmorency, one of the great captains of the six-
teenth century, was born in 1493 a t Chantilly. He served his first
campaign in Italy in 1512, and in 1521 defended the city of
Mezieres conjointly with Bayard. His prowess at La Bicocca was
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 145
Brion, l two young nobles who subsequently made
themselves famous by the services which they ren-
dered to their country.
In the month of May, Francis, probably some-
what alarmed by the deficit which had already
betrayed itself in the national exchequer, removed
his court to Amboise, whither Madame d'Angouleme
had preceded him, for the purpose of celebrating at
that castle the marriage of Mademoiselle de Bour-
bon, the sister of the connetable, with the Due de
Lorraine ; and it is upon record that, on this occa-
sion, being desirous to give some variety to the
festivities, which were limited in their nature by the
fact that, in a private residence, the etiquette of
mourning for the late king did not permit either
balls or masquerades, the young monarch caused a
wild boar, which had been taken alive in the neigh-
rewarded by a marshal's baton (1522) when he was already Captain-
General of the Swiss troops. Taken prisoner at Pavia, and after-
wards liberated, he obtained, in consideration of his eminent
services, the rank of Grand-Master and the government of Langue-
doc. The campaign of 1536 gained for him the sword of con-
netable in 1538, and from that period to his disgrace in 1541 he
was the soul of the councils of Francis I. Recalled by Henry II.
in 1547, he conquered the Bolognese in 1550 ; caused his barony of
Montmorency to be elevated to a duchy-peerage in 1551 ; and lost
the battle of Saint-Quentin, where he was taken prisoner in 1557.
Once more exiled from the Court in 1559, he was again recalled on
the accession of Charles IX. in 1560 ; declared himself against the
Calvinists, and gained the battle of Dreux in i 562 and that of St.
Denis in 1567, where, however, he was mortally wounded, and
expired two days afterwards.
1 Philippe de Chabot, Sire de Brion, the descendant of an illus-
trious family of Poitou, was an Admiral of France, Governor of Bur-
gundy and Normandy, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Pavia
with Francis I. He commanded the Piedmontese army in 1535-
Accused of malversation, he was disgraced, and condemned to a
fine of seventy thousand crowns. He died in i 543.
VOL. I. IO
146 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
bouring forest, to be turned loose in the great court-
yard of the castle, having previously ordered every
issue by which the savage denizen of the woods
might escape to be carefully closed. This being,
as it appeared, fully accomplished, the courtly com-
pany then assembled at Amboise stationed them-
selves at the windows, whence they amused them-
selves by casting darts and other missiles at the
enraged and bewildered animal.
Highly excited by this novel pastime, bets ran
high between the young nobles on their respective
skill, and bright eyes watched anxiously the flight of
every weapon as it was hurled from the respective
casements. Suddenly, however, shrieks of terror
echoed through the spacious apartments. The boar,
tortured beyond endurance, had made a furious
plunge at the door which opened upon the great stair-
case ; had dashed it in, and was rapidly ascending
the steps which led to the state rooms, and which
were protected only by a hanging drapery of velvet,
when the king, rushing from the apartment where
the horror-stricken ladies were crowding about
the queen, and thrusting aside the courtiers who
endeavoured to impede his passage, threw himself
full in the path of the maddened animal, and adroitly
avoiding his first shock, stabbed him to the heart.
The Duchesse d'Angouleme lived in sovereign
style in the castle of Amboise. Like Anne de
Bretagne, she retained a numerous household, and
it was one more calculated than that of her pre-
decessor to increase the attraction of a season of
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 147
display and festivity ; for, while her female attend-
ants had been selected for their personal beauty,
they were totally untrammelled by the wholesome
and decent restraints which Anne had laid upon her
ladies ; and already had the licentious tastes of the
prince her son corrupted the little Court which she
had collected about her, and which had become the
focus of intrigue, gallantry, and imprudence. For
a time, indeed, the pollution of the heart was not suf-
fered publicly to pollute the lips ; but ere long even
this tacit observance of propriety was disregarded ;
and, as it is always easy for a woman to be witty
when she lays aside her modesty, so the circle of
Madame d'Angouleme soon became renowned as
the centre of gay humour and sprightly fascination.
And in the midst of this polluted Court lived
on the meek and pious Queen Claude, surrounded,
like her stepmother, with a band of high-born
dames and damsels, but, unlike her, giving to
those about her person an example of virtue and
self-respect which was strictly imitated ; conscious
of the irregularities of her husband for where is
the royal personage long permitted to remain in
happy ignorance of her own wrongs ? but un-
complaining and patient ; a martyr to that keenest
of all woman's suffering, a despised and neglected
affection. The abandoned conduct of Louise de
Savoie, far from vitiating the pure nature of her
son's wife, tended only to strengthen her in
her own better principles ; and, like the moon,
which can look down upon pollution without sully-
148 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
ing the purity of its beams, so did the unhappy
young queen witness on all sides the degrading
progress of licentiousness without losing one virtue
or imbibing one vice. Trained in the most delicate
reserve by her mother, Anne de Bretagne, she could
not condescend to pander to the dissipated tastes
of Francis, who soon wearied of her circle, and
found a fertile subject of sarcasm in the austere
restraint to which she subjected the ladies of her
suite, who, although they were permitted to share
in the festivities of the Court, were compelled to
be so guarded in their conduct and deportment
that they were never sullied by its impurities.
" Her circle," says Brantome, " was a paradise
on earth, a school of honour and virtue, and the
ornament of France, as foreigners were wont to
declare when they were admitted within it ; for they
ever met a courteous reception ; and when they
were expected, it was the queen's express command
that her ladies should attire themselves richly, and
exert all their talents for the entertainment of her
guests without absenting themselves in the pursuit
of other amusements." It was at Amboise, on the
1 9th of August, that the queen gave birth to her
eldest born, the Princesse Louise, whose sex,
although doubtless a bitter disappointment to both
parents, was not fated to affect the interests of
the succession, as she died in her infancy.
The first and greatest anxiety of Francis was the
recovery of the Milanese, a design which had been
delayed by the death of Louis XII. ; and, in order
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 149
to supply the necessary funds for this expedition,
he was induced by the advice of his chancellor to
renew all the taxes which his predecessor had
abolished, and even to expose the offices of the
crown for sale ; thus endeavouring to replenish
his treasury by the most impolitic and arbitrary
measures. His claim to the duchy of Milan was
declared openly and boldly, as he considered his
honour to be involved in its recovery. Louis XII.
had based his presumed right upon the title of a
female, and had transferred it to his daughter,
the Princesse Claude, as a portion of her dowry ;
but Francis, in order to secure it more effectually,
caused his wife, as we have already stated, to make
over to him her sovereignty of the duchy, and thus
to enable him to advance a personal and legitimate
claim to its possession.
Charles of Austria, the sovereign of the Low
Countries, at the instigation of M. de Chievres, his
governor, who was anxious to preserve a peace
with France upon which the prosperity of Flanders
was so greatly dependent, as well as to secure to
his royal pupil, who was by five years and a half
the junior of the French king, the support of that
monarch against Ferdinand the Catholic, his ma-
ternal grandfather, had already sent ambassadors
to congratulate him upon his accession, and to
request his friendship, which was not only accorded,
but coupled with the promise that Francis would
accord to him the hand of his sister-in-law, the
Princesse Renee. Her extreme youth, however,
150 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
for at this period she had only just attained her
sixth year, rendering the immediate celebration of
the marriage inexpedient, it was stipulated between
the two princes that the ceremony should be deferred
until she should have reached the age of twelve years,
when she was to become the wife of Charles, with a
dowry of two hundred thousand silver crowns in
money, and the duchy of Berri, estimated at four
hundred thousand more. A treaty of alliance, both
offensive and defensive, was also signed by the con-
tracting parties ; and Charles of Austria, although
numbering Ferdinand among his allies, pledged him-
self not to assist him in any attempt which he might
make against France, if he did not, within the space
of six months, terminate the misunderstanding exist-
ing between the two Courts on the subject of the
kingdom of Navarre. This treaty was executed
at Paris on the 24th of March.
The ostensible object of the Flemish envoys
had been merely to do homage for the counties
of Artois and Flanders, which were held by the
archduke of the crown of France ; and it was so
far fortunate for Francis that they should have
selected that precise period to visit his Court, as
it rendered Charles unable to unite with the em-
peror in any designs which might have proved
inimical to the French interest. The mission was
entrusted to Count Henry of Nassau, 1 who arrived
1 Henry, Count of Nassau, was the representative of the cele-
brated ducal family of that name, which traced its origin from
Robert, Count of Larenburg and Nassau, in 1124. His descend-
ants, Waleran and Otho, divided their ancestral patrimony in 1255.
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 151
at Paris splendidly attended, having both nobles
and prelates in his train, and it was through his
agency that the archduke, who had already been
affianced to half the princesses of the civilized world,
was once more engaged in the matrimonial com-
pact, destined, like so many others, never to be
ratified. Moreover, it is probable that Francis
himself never contemplated its completion, while
it is certain that the ministers of the young prince
had been urged to effect a friendly alliance with
France from their suspicion that Ferdinand the
Catholic purposed to bequeath the crown of Spain
to his other grandson and namesake, who had been
educated in that country ; while Charles, who had
passed his youth between Germany and the Low
Countries, was comparatively unknown to him.
Nor was the errand of M. de Nassau destined
to be a bootless one for himself, it being secretly
stipulated that he should receive the hand of
Claudine de Challon, sister of the Prince of Orange,
who had been educated with the young Queen of
France ; and the marriage was accordingly cele-
brated with a magnificence worthy of so renowned
a Court.
The state of Europe at this time offered nothing
From the former are descended the present reigning Dukes of Nas-
sau ; while the latter founded the branch of Nassau-Dillenbourg,
now on the throne of Holland. By the marriage of Henry of Nas-
sau, son of Count William III., with Claudine de Challon, Princess
of Orange, that principality devolved upon their son Rene, who,
dying without issue, bequeathed it to William the Taciturn, his
cousin, who thus became the ancestor of the Princes of Orange-
Nassau, whose descendants occupy the thrones of England and
Holland.
152 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
sufficiently alarming to induce the young king to
abandon his design upon the Milanese. Spain was
for the moment tranquil. The death of the Arch-
duke Philip had restored to Ferdinand his dominion
over Castile ; while his title to Naples, Roussillon,
and Cerdagne was not sufficiently valid to enable
him to take the initiative with safety in any aggres-
sive measures towards France. Germany was also
at peace, and so divided and subdivided into petty
and independent states, as well as kept in check
by the moral and commercial strength of her free
towns and the impotence of her emperor, who,
although the head of the Germanic body, by which,
in the national diets, the laws were passed, was a
mere shadow-king, despised both at home and
abroad, that she was in no condition to volunteer
a war of which the issue, under such circumstances,
must at the best be doubtful ; while England, who
had upon Flodden Field delivered herself from her
most threatening and mischievous enemy, had
already gained sufficient experience of the bad
faith and perfidious vacillation of both Maximilian
and Ferdinand to induce Henry VIII. to shun any
alliance with either against the interests of Francis,
who, in the late negotiations between them, had
won his goodwill alike by his frankness and
courtesy.
Thus the Pope and the Swiss were the only for-
midable enemies against whom the young monarch
of France could be called upon to contend ; and the
arrival of the several embassies to compliment him
FRANCIS THE FIRST 153
upon his accession afforded a favourable opportunity
for consolidating his friendly relations with such of
the different powers as were already on terms of
amity with France ; and also of ascertaining, and
providing against, the possible hostility of those
whose alliance was still doubtful.
To the English envoys he suggested that the
treaty of peace concluded -between Louis XII. and
Henry VIII. should be renewed, and that Scotland,
did the necessity arise, should be included in the
negotiations ; that the most perfect liberty of com-
merce should be assured to both nations ; that no
vessel of war intended to threaten either should be
admitted into any of the ports of the other kingdom ;
and that they should mutually respect each other's
allies ; but that Milan and Genoa, which Francis was
about to invade, should be exempted from this
arrangement. To all these conditions Henry ac-
ceded at once, with the exception of that which
concerned Scotland, the jealousy of the English
monarch being awakened by the circumstance that
the Due d'Aubigny, 1 the cousin of the late King of
Scots, and the subject of Francis, had been invited
thither as regent. He accordingly called upon the
young sovereign to pledge himself that D'Aubigny,
who was well known to be inimical to the English
interests, should abandon his intention of visiting
Scotland ; and declared that should this concession
i Robert d'Aubigny was of Scotch extraction, and of the family of
Stuart, but was by birth a French subject, and commanded the com-
pany of Scotch gendarmes who were perpetually about the person of
the monarch, and who possessed extraordinary privileges.
154 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
be made, he would at once affix his signature to
the treaty. Francis, however, would not consent
to withdraw his plighted word to the Scotch ; but
offered himself as surety for the loyalty of his general,
and agreed that if in the space of three months
D'Aubigny did not succeed in reconciling the adverse
factions he should be recalled.
Henry accepted the offered terms, and the treaty
was concluded in the month of April.
The Swiss cantons, excepting only the Grisons,
still maintained their hostile position towards France.
During the reigns of Louis XI. and Charles VIII.
they had considered themselves as an integral por-
tion of the French armies, and had conduced, in no
trifling degree, to their success in the field. Even
under Louis XII. they had done good service, and
proved their efficiency ; while the benefit was ren-
dered mutual by the fact that the poverty of their
over-populated country was lessened by the escape-
valve thus afforded, and that support and employment
were obtained for considerable bodies of men who
must otherwise have diminished its already scanty
resources. Conscious of their importance in Euro-
pean warfare from their high state of discipline and
undaunted courage, the Switzers had, however, by
presuming upon these advantages, excited the indig-
nation of Louis XII., who, anxious to emancipate
himself from pretensions and demands which ulti-
mately exceeded all due bounds, declined their
further assistance, and substituted for them a large
body of German infantry, or lansquenets, who, while
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 155
they were utterly free from the insolence and way-
wardness of the Swiss, were from the first their
equals in courage, and soon worthily rivalled them
both in order and discipline. This was at once an
affront to the honour and an injury to the interests
of the mountaineers, which they vowed never to
forgive. They forgot that even if they had twice
assisted the French king to subdue Italy they had
twice also, in order to gratify their own dislike, lent
their aid to divest him of his conquest ; and although
they had amply revenged their supposed wrongs both
at Novara and Dijon, they bore in remembrance only
the refusal of Louis to ratify the treaty of La Tre-
mouille, and suffered the relentless Cardinal of Sion
to keep them in a state of perpetual and unyielding
animosity to France. Thus the attitude which they
assumed could not be utterly disregarded by Francis,
although, with the chivalrous feeling natural to him,
he looked upon them with contempt as mere mercen-
aries, and did not suffer their demonstrations to
interfere with his darling project ; although he
deemed it expedient to make an effort to regain their
alliance, and accordingly sent the Sire de Jamets,
one of the sons of Robert de la Mark, as his envoy
to the diet of the cantons, in order that an accom-
modation might if possible be effected with them, and
the differences adjusted which had arisen out of the
non-fulfilment of the treaty of Dijon. This conces-
sion was, however, far from conducing to the object
which he had in view. Rendered insolent by their
recent successes, the Swiss ascribed to fear an over-
156 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
ture which had been dictated simply by policy, and
arrogantly refused to admit the envoy of France ;
threatening, moreover, that if the conditions of that
treaty were not immediately performed to the letter,
they would forthwith invade the provinces of Bur-
gundy and Dauphiny.
Francis treated the insolent menace with con-
tempt, and contented himself with marching a
strong body both of native and foreign troops
towards Burgundy, ostensibly to defend that
province from aggression, but actually to bring
them nearer to the point where they were to be
employed.
Consequently this movement, ominous as it was,
created no alarm either in the Pope or the Italian
states which were in his interest. They looked upon
the French king as a mere youth, devoted to pleasure,
who would not hazard an encounter with the papal
forces ; nor could even the representations of Fer-
dinand induce them to alter their opinion. In vain
did he represent that Francis had suggested a treaty
with himself and Maximilian, which had failed to take
effect owing to the refusal of the young monarch to
forego his claim upon the Milanese, and that he had
already confirmed that which Louis XII. had for-
merly made with the Venetians. Leo. X. disregarded
the caution, and even declined to join a league which
had been secretly formed between Maximilian, Fer-
dinand, the Swiss, and the Duke of Milan, for the
defence of Italy ; declaring that he was urged by his
holy office to promote peace rather than war, and
15 IS FRANCIS THE FIRST 157
would not provoke, or even appear to anticipate,
hostilities from any European power.
In confirming the treaty with the Venetians to
which Ferdinand had alluded, Francis had secretly
induced Ottavio Fregosa, the Doge of Genoa, to give
a pledge that he would abdicate, and place himself
under the protection of France, whenever the pre-
sence of a French army sufficiently strong to protect
him from the indignation of the other powers should
be assembled in Italy ; a promise which the young
king hailed with joy, as Genoa commanded the pas-
sage into the Milanese by sea, and was consequently
of great importance to his design. This done, he
pursued his negotiation with the Pope, who at length
consented to remain neuter ; but who, at the same
time, entered into an engagement with Maximilian,
Ferdinand, and the Swiss, to assist them in protect-
ing the duchy of Milan.
In the meantime Francis had continued quietly
but diligently to strengthen the forces requisite for
his intended expedition. While he himself left Paris
and took up his abode at Amboise, his army was
gradually advancing to the frontiers of Dauphiny.
It consisted of a band of ten thousand lansquenets,
raised in Germany by the Sire de Sedan and the
Duke of Suffolk ; six thousand foot, furnished by the
Due de Gueldres ; and a like number levied in Gas-
cony and Languedoc by Pietro da Navarro, whom
the ingratitude and bad faith of the King of Spain
had driven into the service of France ; four thousand
volunteers ; two thousand five hundred lances ; and a
158 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vi
strong body of artillery, which had already been sent
forward to Lyons, composing altogether an army of
between thirty and forty thousand men.
While this force was unostentatiously in progress
of organization, Francis who, however little he
deprecated the hostility of the Pope, whom he knew
to be more occupied in the aggrandisement of his
family than in that of his states, thought it wise to
conciliate his alliance sent an embassy to Rome to
open a negotiation between them, which he entrusted
to Guillaume Budee, 1 the contemporary and friend of
Erasmus, and one of the most accomplished scholars
in France. Already aware of the particular ambition
of Leo X., who was anxious to secure the supreme
rule in Florence to his nephew Lorenzo de Medici,
and to his brother Giulio a principality compounded
of the states which his predecessor Julius II. had
wrested from the Duke of Ferrara and the Milanese,
Budee offered on the part of his royal master to assist
his holiness in effecting the marriage between his
brother Giulio and Marguerite de Savoie, the aunt
of the French king, which had already been mooted,
and which must have tended to convert the two sove-
reigns into firm allies ; but the Pope could not wil-
lingly resign his own darling scheme, and amiable
and learned as he was, and fully competent to appre-
1 Guillaume Bude"e was born in Paris in 1467, and distinguished
himself by his extraordinary attainments. He was Master of the
Court of Requests, and librarian to the king, and was remarkable
for his proficiency in the classics and archaeology. His most cele-
brated work among students is his treatise De Asse et partibus efus,
which was published at Venice in 1522. It was at his instigation
that Francis I. founded the College of France. He died in 1540.
FRANCIS THE FIRST 159
ciate the compliment paid to him by Francis in the
person and through the medium of so celebrated an
ambassador, he was nevertheless possessed of all the
craft peculiar to his nation, and hesitated between
this amicable proposition and that of Maximilian and
Ferdinand, which he believed would be ultimately
more advantageous to his house. He consequently
amused Budee for a time with objections, exactions,
and mystifications so obviously unmeaning and insin-
cere, that the frank and straightforward scholar at
length resolved to request his recall ; alleging that he
was unable to cope with the diplomatic cunning of
the sovereign - pontiff, and humbly praying his
majesty to release him from a responsibility to which
he was unequal. He was, however, instructed to
remain at the papal Court, and to continue the
negotiation, whatever might be its probable issue, in
order to divert the attention of Leo from an intrigue
in which his interests were involved, and which was
then pending.
CHAPTER VII
1515
Francis organizes his army The queen's farewell reception Magnificence of
Bourbon Emotion of Marguerite de Valois Jealousy of Bonnivet-
Their parting Indiscretion of Bonnivet Difficulty in replenishing the
treasury Discontent of the Parliament Madame d'Angouleme ap-
pointed regent Character of Louise de Savoie Amount of the French
army Its distribution Difficulty in passing the Alps Perseverance of
the troops The vanguard enters Italy Surprise of Prosper Colonna
His capture Delivers his sword to Bayard Alessandria and Tortona
taken by the French Alarm of the Pope Retreat of the Swiss Francis
endeavours to conciliate them, but fails through the agency of the Car-
dinal of Sion The Swiss troops attempt to seize the public chest at
Buffaloro Their leaders apprise Lautrec of the project They evacuate
Italy Bayard solicits the king's permission to attack the enemy, but is
refused Francis marches upon Turin He is joined by the Due de
Gueldres The French headquarters are established at Marignano Car-
dona refuses to pass the Po D'Alviano reaches Lodi Indignation of
Francis against the Swiss The Cardinal of Sion harangues the mer-
cenary troops Fleuranges alarms the garrison The Swiss troops march
upon Marignano The king is apprised of their approach Battle of
Marignano Francis narrowly escapes capture Bayard is unhorsed, but
effects his retreat The battle-couch of Francis The attack is resumed
at daybreak The Swiss troops retreat, and return to Milan, whence
they proceed homeward, pursued by D'Alviano The price of victory
Francis receives knighthood on the field at the hands of Bayard, and
confers it upon Fleuranges The French march to Milan The Swiss
revolt against the Cardinal of Sion, who secures his safety by flight
Reception of the French king by the citizens of Milan Maximilian
Sforza surrenders to Francis Generosity of the conqueror The Milanese
take the oath of allegiance to France.
MEANWHILE the warlike preparations of Francis
were completed, and he formally assisted the queen
and his mother to receive at Amboise the parting
compliments of his generals in the presence of the
whole Court. The queen had a public reception
1515 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I 161
on the day upon which the Connetable Due de
Bourbon, who was to take the chief command of
the invading army, arrived at the castle. His ad-
vent had been already announced, and it chanced
that, either by accident or design, the Duchesse
d'Alen9on, who had accompanied her husband to
the castle, there to remain while he was absent
with the king in Italy, was standing in the deep
bay of a window in the apartment of her royal
sister-in-law, conversing with some of the courtiers,
at the moment when the connetable galloped into
the courtyard, attended by an escort of gentlemen
and pages very richly attired. At the noise made
by the horsemen every eye was turned upon the
brilliant spectacle which thus suddenly presented
itself, and was instantly riveted on the person of
Bourbon himself. He was attired for war, and
wore over his mail a sash of cloth of silver ; a
diamond-studded poniard flashed in his belt beside
the golden pommel of his sword, and his casque
was surmounted by a plume of white and crimson
feathers. In such a costume the fine person of the
duke was necessarily more than usually striking,
and the beautiful sister of Francis, after gazing for
an instant, like those around her, upon the majestic
and noble figure of the only man whom she had
ever loved, turned away with a shuddering sigh,
and involuntarily glanced with a look of superb
contempt upon the insignificant prince to whom
the policy of her uncle Louis XII. had given her
unwilling hand.
VOL. i 1 1
162 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
Neither the sigh, the shudder, nor the glance,
brief as each had been in its duration, had, despite
all her caution, passed unobserved. Among those
immediately about her was Bonnivet, who had
neither forgiven nor forgotten the past, and whose
jealousy of Bourbon continued as lively as ever,
although the marriage of the duchess had rendered
the suit of both alike hopeless. A bitter whisper
reached her ear. " Monsieur le Connetable," said
the voice, " whose haughty spirit has become a
proverb throughout the country, might to-day be
pardoned his presumption were he to learn the
effect produced by his arrival."
Marguerite blushed deeply, frowned haughtily,
and turned away ; but the arrow had stricken home,
and she could not encounter the mocking eye that
she felt was turned upon her.
By this time the connetable had ascended the
great staircase, had been announced by the usher
on duty, and had entered the royal apartment, still
attended by the gentlemen of his suite, superbly
attired in vests of velvet heavily embroidered with
gold. It was now the king's turn to frown. It was
true that, by his marriage with the daughter of Anne
de France, Bourbon had become the most wealthy
as well as the most powerful noble of the kingdom,
but Francis could not endure that his own magnifi-
cence should be eclipsed by that of a subject, and
his reception was more chilling than the occasion
seemed to warrant. The duke did not, however,
appear to remark the discomposure of his sovereign,
M AM ( AIR IS IF BIS VAIL H S
ENGRAVED B^ . N, FROM A. PORTRAIT PD BUSHED IX
STRES FRAJJCAIS DU 16 SIECU:'
i5 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 163
and the warm greeting of Madame d'Angouleme,
who was by no means insensible to the attractions
of her new guest, was returned with grace and
composure. Nor did even the stately coldness of
the Duchesse d'Alencon bring a shade upon the
brow of Charles de Bourbon. He could appreciate
her real feelings, for he judged them by his own ;
and as he raised her fingers respectfully to his lips
he did not detain them there a moment.
Bonnivet, however, who had watched both parties
closely, was not to be deceived. He had marked
the slight flush which mounted to the brow of the
duke, and the deadly paleness that had overspread
the features of the princess ; and as, after this act
of homage, Bourbon moved away to join the circle
which was formed about the king, he turned to the
Comte de Saint Valier, the captain of the royal
guard, and, in a tone of mysterious confidence, bade
him remark the agitation of Madame d'Angouleme
and the constraint of her daughter.
"It is sufficiently evident," was the reply; "but
why do you draw my attention to the circumstance ?"
" To initiate you into a state secret. The mother
and the daughter have the same passion in their
hearts."
The quick-sighted Bonnivet was correct in his
conjecture, but he was unable to discriminate the
very different nature of the passion which Bourbon
had awakened in the breasts of those two royal
ladies. The love of Louise de Savoie for the gal-
lant and handsome prince was, like all her other
164 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
attachments, alike sensual and selfish, while that
of Marguerite was an affection compounded of
memory, regret, and self-pity, without one stain of
earth. The duke had been the first love of her
girlhood, and had peopled the past with associa-
tions of happiness and hope, both of which had
proved fallacious, but were still dear. Whatever
may have been the errors of Marguerite, it is cer-
tain that she loved Bourbon well and worthily, with
that womanly affection which forgets self in the
object beloved, and can endure in all its intensity
alike through time and trial.
In the utterance of her murmured farewell to the
brilliant connetable the Duchesse d'Alen9on had
exhausted all her regrets, and it was with courteous
composure that she afterwards received the parting
compliments of Francois, Due de Chatellerault, his
brother ; the Marechals de la Palice and Trivulzio ;
the Dues de Lorraine, Vendome, Gueldres, and
D'Aubigny ; the Bastard of Savoy, the king's uncle, 1
1 Rend, the Bastard of Savoy, was the son of Philip of Savoy
and Bona da Romagnano, a Piedmontese lady, and the brother of
Charles III. and Madame d'Angouleme, and had been legitimized by
the Duke Philibert, who married Margaret of Austria, the daughter
of the emperor. Maximilian having, however, refused to ratify his
legitimization, Rene accused Margaret of having privately instigated
him to do so, and, indignant at the affront put upon him, abandoned
the Court of Savoy, and withdrew to the castle of Amboise, where
he resided with his sister, Madame d'Angouleme, and obtained great
influence over Francis I. Whether his suspicion were well or ill
founded, it is certain that the hatred which Margaret felt for him
caused as much injury to Savoy as that of Madame d'Angouleme
against the Connetable de Bourbon occasioned to France. " Through
Margaret of Austria, the wife of the duke," says the President
Renault, " commenced that hatred which has perpetuated itself
between the houses of France and Austria." The fact is, however,
1 5 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 165.
the veteran Louis de Breze, Grand Senechal of
Normandy ; the Comtes de Saint-Pol and Guise ;
La Tremouille, and his son the Prince de Talmont,
Imbercourt, Teligny, Beam, Sancerre, Orval, Lau-
trec, Bayard, and, in fine, all that was noble and
chivalrous in France.
The necessity of raising money to meet the
exigencies of so formidable an undertaking as the
recovery of the Milanese was the first difficulty to
which Francis had been exposed since his accession
to the throne, and it is probable that, at so im-
portant a moment, he regretted the immense sums
which had been wasted upon mere courtly magnifi-
cence ; but Duprat, equal to every emergency, at
once suggested the dangerous and impolitic mea-
sure of increasing the number of judicial offices for
sale. The young king, eager to carry out his plans,
thoughtlessly welcomed the suggestion, and a new
chamber of parliament was created, consisting of
twenty councillors, all of whom purchased their
places ; while the provincial courts throughout the
kingdom were augmented in the same manner.
doubtful, for the feelings of the emperor her father had been for
years quite as hostile as her own ; and it is asserted that he every
day nourished them by a perusal of what he entitled his red book,
which was simply a register of all the real or imaginary wrongs to
which he had been subjected by France, and which yet remained un-
avenged, not the least being the humiliation to which his daughter
had been exposed when her hand was refused by Charles VIII.
Rene strikingly resembled his father. His form was athletic, and
his countenance fine and commanding. He was a brave soldier,
but both haughty and vindictive. Francis I., his nephew, made
him Comptroller of the Household. He was taken prisoner at
Pavia, and died of his wounds. From him is derived the family
of Villars.
1 66 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
For a time the parliament of Paris refused to sanc-
tion so glaring an innovation upon their rights, and
declined to register the royal edict ; nor was it
without considerable and avowed reluctance that
they were ultimately induced to do so, the measure
being regarded as one of great injustice and im-
policy, tending to diminish the national confidence
in the monarch, and to excite distrust towards the
minister by whom it had been proposed.
Their objections were, however, disregarded,
and Francis, satisfied that he was about to place
himself at the head of the finest army which had
ever been raised in France, made instant prepara-
tions for crossing the Alps. The number and
resources of his enemies, concentrated by the
powerful confederacy formed against him by Maxi-
milian, Leo X., and the Swiss, served only to
stimulate his ardour; and on the i5th of July, at
Lyons, he issued an ordinance, by which he ap-
pointed his mother, the Duchesse d'Angouleme,
regent of the kingdom during his absence. "Con-
sidering," thus ran the document, "that it will be
necessary to leave in our kingdom some personage
representing ourselves, whose affection towards our
person is undoubted, and to whom our subjects may
have recourse as to ourselves ; considering also that
all the princes and nobles of our blood accompany
us on our enterprise, we have decided to confide
this charge and power to our very dear and well-
beloved lady and mother, the Duchesse d'Angou-
leme and d'Anjou, as to the person in whom we
FRAA T CIS THE FIRST 167
have full and perfect confidence, and of whom we
know, for a surety, that she will wisely and virtu-
ously acquit herself of the same."
In how far Francis could answer to his conscience
for such a declaration it is not for us to decide.
Certain it is that the overweening indulgence and
undiminished influence of his mother may have
blinded him in a great degree to her defects, but
it is no less true that he possessed sufficient shrewd-
ness and discrimination to be aware that, with so
vehement and vindictive a character as hers, there
was not that perfect assurance for his subjects which
his words were intended to convey.
Although, upon the accession of her son, she had
reached her fortieth year, Louise de Savoie was still
one of the handsomest women at Court. The pecu-
liar charms of her face and person were scarcely
diminished by time, and she possessed, physically,
all the elements of popularity. She was, moreover,
eminently qualified for government in so far that she
did not lack courage, either personal or political, and
was gifted with penetration, decision, and a self-
possession which no adversity could shake ; but
these essential qualities were counterbalanced by
an ambition and thirst of power absolutely insati-
able, while her better reason was frequently over-
whelmed by the impetuous torrent of her passions ;
a circumstance which sullied her administration with
all the faults and weaknesses of her sex. Greedy
of admiration, and vain to an inordinate excess, she
was at the same time a bitter enemy, implacable in
168 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
her resentments, impatient of control, actuated by
the most malign jealousy, and covetous of the
national treasures to such an extent that the wisest
projects were disconcerted, and the most important
enterprises baffled, by her insatiate rapacity.
The regency being thus definitely arranged,
Francis turned his whole attention to the organ-
ization and distribution of his army, which, after
the new levies were completed, consisted of two
thousand five hundred men-at-arms ; amounting, in
fact, from the peculiar constitution of the "lances,"
as they were then termed, to a force of nearly fifteen
thousand horse, each member of the compagnies
d'ordonnance, or regular cavalry, having in imme-
diate attendance upon him three archers, an esquire,
or knife-bearer, whose name was derived from a
short dirk which he carried in his belt, and a page,
the whole of whom were mounted ; and thus fifteen
hundred "lances," fully equipped, comprised a
strength of nine thousand horse ; while in addition
to this conventional suite, they were generally ac-
companied by a strong body of volunteers, similarly
followed, who served without remuneration of any-
kind, and who were invariably individuals of good
family, like the gendarmes themselves, and fre-
quently entered the regular army after having gone
through a campaign upon their own resources.
The command of the vanguard was confided to
the Connetable de Bourbon, and in it were to serve
his brother the Due de Chatellerault, La Palice,
Trivulzio, Talmond, Bonnivet, Imbercourt, and
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 169
Teligny ; while Pietro da Navarro, with his Gas-
cons, Basques, and pioneers, was also attached to
this division of the army. The rear-guard was
committed to the Due d'Alen9on, the husband of
Marguerite, and the king himself commanded the
main body or " battle," having about his person the
Dues de Vendome and Lorraine, the Seigneur
d'Aubigny, the Bastard of Savoy, the Sire d'Orval,
La Tremouille, Lautrec, recently advanced to the
rank of Marshal of France, Bayard, newly ap-
pointed Lieutenant-general of Dauphiny, the Due
de Gueldres, and Claude de Guise.
But when this powerful army, amounting in the
aggregate to upwards of forty thousand men, with a
strong train of artillery, was completed, the greatest
difficulty was yet to be surmounted by accomplishing
its passage into Italy. The month of August had
arrived, the snow had dissolved in the mountain
gorges, it is true, but some unforeseen circumstance
might impede the march, and subject the troops to
a scarcity of provisions, while it was moreover
imperative that they should penetrate into the
Milanese before the rainy season set in. " A safe
but circuitous route presented itself," says Bacon,
" by which one part of the army might penetrate to
Savona, and the other might march by the county
of Tende towards Montferrat ; but the delay which
would ensue rendered this plan ineligible." The
passes between Mont Cenis and Mont Genievre
were so strongly guarded by the Swiss as to render
it highly inexpedient to expose the army to the
i;o THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
inevitable losses which must accrue from any
attempt to force them, and thus weaken its re-
sources ; and consequently great doubt existed as
to the practicability of making good the passage
of horsemen and ordnance across the Alps. The
difficulty was, however, happily overcome by the
proposal of a Piedmontese peasant, a vassal of the
Comte de Moreto, the cousin of Bayard whose
perfect acquaintance with all the intricacies of the
mountain chain rendered him an admirable guide-
to point out a path which was comparatively un-
known, and of which the Swiss had evinced their
entire ignorance by leaving it totally unprotected.
For a time the count treated the suggestion with
indifference, declaring that it was impassable for a
large army ; but the pertinacity of his follower at
length induced him to explore it, when his doubts
were shaken, and having waited upon the Duke of
Savoy to solicit his permission to profit by the dis-
covery, he immediately started for Lyons to com-
municate to the king the result of his investigation.
The proposition was submitted to the council, who,
after some deliberation, decided that if, after a
careful survey of the pass, the attempt appeared
practicable, it should be made ; and as a prelim-
inary measure, the Sire de Lautrec and Pietro da
Navarro, who were esteemed the most competent
judges upon such a subject the one from his fond-
ness for adventure and boldness in confronting
difficulties, and the other from his mechanical skill
and knowledge were despatched to examine the
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 171
pass, and to report upon its practicability. They
were accompanied by the Marechals Trivulzio and
La Palice, the Comte de Moreto, and his vassal ;
and the whole extent of the formidable pass was
strictly surveyed, when it was ascertained that the
difficulties, although great and various, were never-
theless not insurmountable if effectual measures
were taken ; and, upon the delivery of this opinion,
it was at once resolved that the attempt should be
made.
Detachments were marched towards Mont Cenis
and Mont Genievre to distract and mislead the
attention of the enemy, and, all being in readiness,
the vanguard of the French army forded the Du-
rance, and, followed by the remainder of the troops,
entered the mountain chain on the Guillestre side,
and commenced their gigantic undertaking. Never
had the zeal and skill of Navarro availed so much.
Under his directions roads were levelled, ravines
filled up, trees felled, and rocks rent from their
bases ; bridges thrown over torrents, and the
cannon dragged by hand across precipitous heights
and along narrow ledges, where it was impossible
to entrust their safety to other than human strength.
No one who has not traversed the Alps not by
the roads now formed, but among the wild and
rugged ravines known only to the mountain hunter,
who even to this day reveals them grudgingly to the
inquisitive and adventurous traveller can for an
instant comprehend, and far less appreciate, all the
labour, danger, and uncertainty of such an enter-
i?2 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
prise as that now undertaken by the French army.
As the troops advanced upon their perilous way
their difficulties increased. Nature, in all the
majesty of her most formidable horrors, appeared
to frown upon their audacity. The roaring of the
winds that growled through the deep and dark
gullies by which they were surrounded ; the hollow
crashing of the tools with which the pioneers seemed
to be cleaving into the very heart of the rocky
mountains ; the avalanches which, disturbed by this
unwonted intrusion, came thundering down with an
impetuosity that mocked the most steady gaze ; the
cataracts which leapt from ledge to ledge until they
poured their vexed and boiling tide into some
unseen depth below ; the perpetual loss of life
which was occasioned by the sudden dislodgment
of loosened masses that rolled into the abyss, and
ultimately fell with a crash which sounded like the
ruin of a world all these impediments failed to
discourage the ardour of the French soldiery. Con-
quest was before them, and they toiled on uncom-
plainingly until the mighty task was accomplished,
and they descended safely into the valley of Stura,
near the town of Coni, in the territories of the
Marquis de Saluzzo, a firm ally of the French
crown, with all their heavy cavalry, and seventy
pieces of ordnance. All the estates of Saluzzo had
been invaded by the enemy, and all his strongholds
taken, save the castle of Ravello, which, owing to
its extreme strength, had been enabled to make
an effectual resistance ; while the other fortresses,
i 5 is FRANCIS THE FIRST 173
whence his troops had been driven out, were oc-
cupied by Swiss garrisons, and his lands harried
and laid waste by the forces of Prosper Colonna, 1
an able and experienced general, who commanded
the army of the coalition, and to whom the Duke of
Milan had entrusted the passes of the Alps, which
were defended by a force of twenty thousand Swiss.
Courageous as he was, however, the personal
bravery of Colonna was not more conspicuous than
his arrogance ; and while he awaited the approach
of the French army he affected the utmost con-
tempt for the enemy against which he was to
contend, even carrying his presumption so far as
to appropriate to himself the county of Carmagnola,
after having arranged with the Swiss to dispossess
the Duke of Savoy of his dominions, as the forfeit
which he was to pay for aiding and abetting his
nephew, Francis I., in his designs on the Milanese.
The vanguard of the French army had scarcely
descended into the plain of Stura when they were
informed that Colonna had established his quarters
in the fortress of Carmagnola, where, confident in his
security, he had even disdained to take such precau-
tions as a better policy would have prompted. The
spirit of French chivalry was at once aroused by this
intelligence, and La Palice, D'Aubigny, Imbercourt,
Bayard, Montmorency, and Bussy d'Amboise re-
solved to make an attempt to surprise him in his
1 Prosper Colonna was the son of Antonio, Prince of Salerno.
He defeated the French army at the battle of La Bicocca, in 1522,
and died in the course of the succeeding year, with the reputation of
an able general.
174 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
stronghold. They accordingly advanced towards
Carmagnola at the head of a body of men-at-arms
carefully selected for the purpose ; and while the
Roman general was watching the progress of the
main army over a pass which he considered as the
most hazardous that could be contemplated, he never
anticipated that a little band of adventurers would
make their way by that of Rocca Sparviera, which
he believed to be utterly impracticable for cavalry.
Such an attempt was, however, made, and success-
fully accomplished ; but on their arrival at Carma-
gnola the courageous party found that Colonna was
no longer there, but was moving towards Villa
Franca, a small town upon the Po, where he fre-
quently halted, and, as they ascertained, was that
day to dine before he proceeded to Pignerol, where
he had convened a council of war.
Bayard earnestly proposed an immediate pursuit,
which, being acceded to by his companions, the
Comte de Moreto was despatched, disguised as a
peasant, to hang upon the skirts of the enemy's
army, consisting of three hundred mounted gen-
darmes and some troops of light horse, and to ascer-
tain the order of their march. Upon his return he
confirmed the intelligence they had already received,
that, in full assurance of his security, Colonna was
advancing leisurely towards his destination, rather
like a private traveller riding through his own terri-
tories than a general who was prepared to encounter
an enemy.
Once assured of this fact, their arrangements
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 175
were speedily completed, and they were forthwith
in movement. Imbercourt led the van with a
hundred archers, supported by Bayard with a like
number of picked men, about an arrow's flight
behind, while the rear was closed by La Palice and
D'Aubigny. But although they advanced silently
and with great precaution, they did not succeed in
escaping observation, and Colonna was soon apprised
by one of his spies that a French force was tracking
his footsteps. He, however, treated the matter
lightly, and being at the moment on his way to attend
mass, he merely remarked that it could only be
Bayard and his band, unless the remainder of the
army had flown over the mountains, and contented
himself as he was entering the church by despatch-
ing a second emissary to ascertain the real strength
of the advancing party.
On the conclusion of the service he was informed
by his messenger that he was pursued by more than
a thousand French cavalry ; but, although startled
by the intelligence, he was still doubtful of the fact,
declaring that the man's fears had exaggerated the
number of the enemy, but that he would, neverthe-
less, ere long repay Bayard for the inconvenience to
which he was subjected through his agency by taking
him like a pigeon in a trap ; and as he seated himself
at table he impatiently desired one of his gentlemen
to put himself at the head of a score of horse, to ride
back a mile or two on the road to Carmagnola, and
to inform him if any danger of a surprise really
existed.
i?6 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
He then quietly commenced his repast, but he
was not long destined to retain his arrogant tran-
quillity, for the meal was not concluded when a cry
of alarm became audible, and shouts of " France !
France ! " echoed through the narrow streets of the
little town.
The reconnoitring party had come in sight of
the French troops long ere they anticipated an
encounter, for which they were totally unprepared,
and on witnessing their numbers they at once turned
and fled. Imbercourt, however, followed them up
so closely that he entered the gates of Villa Franca
simultaneously with the fugitives, and before the
sentinels, who were fearful of injuring their own
comrades, had time to fire a shot. The post once
gained, he retained it, although wounded in the face,
until he was joined by Bayard ; nor could all the
after attempts of the garrison enable them to retake it.
For a brief time the conflict was a severe one,
but the arrival of La Palice and D'Aubigny soon
rendered all further opposition on the part of the
papal forces utterly hopeless. Both the gates were
secured to prevent their egress, and only two Alba-
nian soldiers escaped over the plank adjoining the
drawbridge, who fled wildly towards a strong body
of Swiss, encamped within three miles of Villa Franca,
with intelligence of the disaster.
Surprised, but not subdued, Colonna made a
futile attempt to defend himself ; but the house
which he occupied was surrounded, his garrison
made prisoners, and all escape rendered impractic-
15 1 5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 177
able. In this strait he demanded to be informed
who were his captors, and he no sooner ascertained
their names than, with all the vehemence of his
nation, he abandoned himself to the most violent
grief, cursing his fate, and lamenting that God had
not permitted him to meet them in the field.
Bayard received the sword which he at length
reluctantly and sullenly resigned with a courtesy and
respect which, in a calmer moment, must have gone
far to console him ; but he could remember only the
mortification to which he had subjected himself by
his own want of caution, and continually exclaimed :
" Would to God that I had met them in a fair field,
even if I had perished there ! "
Many other prisoners of rank were taken, and
among the rest the Count de Policastro, Piero Mor-
gante, and Carolo Cadamosto, all good and approved
soldiers ; while the booty exceeded even the wildest
hopes of the victors. " Had it been well managed, "
says the Loyal Servant, in the true chapman spirit of
the age, when it is certain that all ranks of the army
thought nearly as much of the ransom to be obtained
for their prisoners as of the glory of defeating them,
" it might have been made to yield a hundred and
fifty thousand ducats." Suffice it, that by the cap-
ture of Villa Franca the French secured, besides
other spoils, seven hundred horses, of which about
four hundred were of pure Andalusian race ; while
Colonna himself lost on that disastrous day more
than fifty thousand ducats in gold and silver plate,
jewels, and money.
VOL. I I 2
1 78 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
Nor was this the only success with which the
campaign opened for Francis. A body of troops
had been despatched to Genoa by sea, under the
command of Aimar de Prie, the grand-master of the
crossbow-men, and intelligence was received a short
time subsequently to the capture of Colonna that
they had reached their destination in safety, had
been warmly welcomed, and that their strength had
been augmented by a force of four thousand Genoese
who had enlisted under their banner, and with whose
co-operation they had surprised and taken Ales-
sandria and Tortona, and possessed themselves of
the whole of the Milanese on that bank of the Po.
The discomfiture of Colonna had, meanwhile,
disconcerted all the measures taken by the allied
sovereigns to secure the defence of Lombardy. The
Pope hastily issued an order to his nephew, Lorenzo
de Medici, to halt the pontifical army within the
frontiers of Modena, and at the same time de-
spatched a trusty messenger to assure the French
king of his neutrality ; while Raymond de Cardona,
who had concentrated the Spanish forces in the
neighbourhood of Verona, awaited in vain the
money which had been promised to him by Ferdi-
nand and the German troops with which he was to
have been reinforced by Maximilian ; and meanwhile,
closely pressed by the Venetian general, who occupied
the Polesino de Rovego, he could neither advance
nor retreat.
Thus the Swiss found themselves, at a most
critical moment, abandoned by their allies. More-
15 1 5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 179
over, their arrears of pay, amounting to forty
thousand florins, had not reached them ; they con-
sidered themselves disgraced by the success of the
French army in crossing the Alps, which they had
undertaken to prevent, and were exasperated by
the contempt with which they were regarded by the
better disciplined and more soldier-like forces of a
nation towards which their hatred was unmitigated.
But the wound which rankled the most deeply in the
hearts of the mercenary mountaineers was the non-
arrival of their salary, which so enraged them against
both the Pope and the Viceroy of Naples that they
robbed the chest of the pontifical commissary, and
retired in disorder to Verceil.
At this precise moment the French generals were
pressing forward to Milan, without any other impedi-
ment to their entrance into that city than these same
Switzers who, at Galerata, on the road from Milan
to the Simplon, appeared to be about to abandon
the defence of Italy. Anxious to effect a reconcilia-
tion with these mischievous antagonists, Francis,
who had never entertained towards them the same
dislike which had been manifested by his predecessor,
and who was aware that several of their most
esteemed leaders were in his interest, particularly
Jean de Diesbach, Albert de la Pierre, and George
de Supersax Valaisan, caused them to be followed to
Galerata by commissaries who were empowered to
accord to them whatever sum they might demand,
on condition that they would lay down their arms.
Aware of their value in the field, he was anxious to
i8o THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
purchase their friendship and to repay their allegi-
ance to himself at their own price, and, as the
proposition met with no repulse, and they thus saw
an opportunity of at once satisfying their rapacity
and their revenge, M. de Lautrec and the Bastard
of Savoy ultimately agreed to promise them seven
hundred thousand crowns.
Meanwhile the coalesced princes, desirous, as
soon as they witnessed the formidable attitude
assumed by Francis, to consolidate by a treaty of
peace the few days of truce which were rapidly
coming to a close, and if possible to induce the king
to withdraw to a greater distance from Milan,
entered into a negotiation with him to that effect;
but so certain did it appear that the young monarch
would, should he comply with their wish for a
cessation of hostilities, be enabled to dictate his
own terms, that the Due de Gueldres, whose pre-
sence was needed in his own dominions to check
the aggressions of the Brabanters, withdrew from
the army, leaving his troops under the command
of his nephew, Claude de Lorraine, Due de Guise,
brother of the reigning prince. He was, however,
premature, for while the negotiations were still
pending, and before the arrangement could be
concluded, a reinforcement of ten thousand
Switzers who had just crossed the Alps to
share the fortunes of their countrymen, and the
powerful exhortations of the celebrated Cardinal
of Sion, the sworn enemy of France, sufficed to
dissuade the mercenaries from their purpose, and
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 181
to put an end to the treaty altogether. The new-
comers, resolved not to have made a bootless
journey, declared that they would not return home
empty-handed while those who had preceded them
were gorged with booty, and proposed that the
money which the French king had deposited at
Buffaloro for the payment of his troops should be
carried off. The scheme was a tempting one to
the avaricious mountaineers, and met with almost
universal welcome ; but Jean de Diesbach and
Albert de la Pierre, who had hitherto possessed
great influence, finding themselves unable to dis-
suade their followers from so disgraceful an enter-
prise, returned to their own country with six or
seven thousand men, and, it is believed, warned
Lautrec of the contemplated attack.
Inspired by the eloquence of the cardinal, the
Swiss were once more eager to meet those in arms
to whom they had been about to sell their services ;
and their old hatred against France was again
revived by the voice of the unholy churchman, who,
as the troops defiled before him, shouted exultingly :
" Grasp your spears, beat your drums, and let us
march without loss of time to glut our hate upon
them, and to quench our thirst with their blood."
Under this .sanguinary influence the Swiss made
their attack upon Buffaloro, where, as we have
already shown, they failed in their object, and
thence marched from Monza towards Milan, plun-
dering alike friends and foes, quarrelling among
themselves, and spreading desolation upon their path.
182 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
The impatient spirit of Bayard chafed at the
insolence of the ill-governed mercenaries, who were
thus impeding the progress of the French arms ;
and aware that they were weakened by internal
divisions, and that the opportunity was not one to
be neglected, he wrote to the king, who was then
at Lyons, to solicit his permission to attack them
with that portion of the army which was then
upon the spot, and which he declared to be sufficient
to ensure success. Francis, however, would not
listen to the suggestion, but gave stringent orders
that no engagement should be hazarded until the
whole of the troops could be brought into the field.
He, however, hastened his own departure from
France, and proceeded with all speed to Turin,
where he was warmly greeted by his uncle, Charles
III., Duke of Savoy, that wavering prince who
had ever a ready reception for every successful
sovereign. Several strong places were taken on
his way without an effort at defence, and many
a bronze cheek flushed as the keys of Novara were
delivered up. At this point he was joined by the
Due de Gueldres, the ever faithful and loyal ser-
vant of France, with six thousand lansquenets ;
and while the Swiss entered Milan with their
whole army, amounting to a force of thirty-five thou-
sand men, Francis established his headquarters at
Marignano, a small village about two leagues from
the city gates, pushing his vanguard to San-Donato
and Santa Brigitta, which diminished the distance
between the hostile troops about one-half.
1515 FRANCIS THE FIRST 183
To prevent any junction between the Swiss and
the papal and Spanish armies was now an object
of the utmost importance, and accident effected
for the young king what must otherwise have been
hopeless. The Spaniards had made prisoner a con-
fidential messenger of the Pope, and affecting not
to credit the account which he gave of his character
and mission, they took possession of his despatches,
and discovered from their contents that not only
was Leo in treaty with Francis, but that his
nephew had also addressed to him a letter of com-
pliment and congratulation. This discovery natu-
rally created a mutual jealousy and distrust, and
Cardona refused to pass the Po unless the papal
general were in his company ; a resolution which,
by the delays which it produced, prevented any
co-operation with the Swiss, and moreover gave
D'Alviano time to reach Lodi, ten miles farther
forward, with a large body of mounted troops ;
while Cardona himself, with the papal and Spanish
armies, was at Placenza, beyond the Po, twenty
miles farther off in the rear of the French forces.
Indignant at the sordid treachery of the Swiss,
Francis was now as eager to attack them as he
had previously been to conciliate ; while the Car-
dinal of Sion was equally desirous that they should
meet the enemy single-handed, without either papal
or Spanish interference ; a suggestion which aroused
alike the vanity and the enthusiasm of the excited
mountaineers, who had begun to esteem themselves
invincible. From an elevated spot he harangued
184 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
the restless host, calling upon them to do them-
selves justice, to remember their late successes,
and the pledge which they had given to restore
the young Duke of Milan to his lawful rights. He
reminded them how much and how often they
had themselves contributed to the glory of the
French arms ; and bade them recollect that in
return for their services France had broken her
treaties, violated her most solemn pledges, and
insulted them in their honour, by opposing to
them the lansquenets of Germany, who now sought
to arrogate to themselves a fame which the Swiss
had purchased with their blood in many a well-
fought field. He spoke with contempt of the
superior force to which they would be opposed,
declaring that the remembrance of Novara should
be sufficient to render such a consideration idle ;
and he terminated his impassioned address by
calling their attention to the fact that should they
conquer, not only all the glory but all the spoil
would be their own ; an argument which revealed
how perfectly he was master of the art of elo-
quence.
A wild shout of applause welcomed his words,
but, ere he could resume his speech, the young
Marquis de Fleuranges, who had approached the
city gates to reconnoitre with more boldness than
caution, was seen and recognized by Mutio Colonna,
who instantly gave the alarm. The Swiss flew to
arms, and on Thursday the I3th of September,
at three o'clock in the afternoon, they marched out
15 1 5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 185
of Milan, still under the excitement of the words to
which they had been listening, and, burning with
the thirst of gold and hatred, advanced to Marig-
nano to attack the enemy. Disdaining to delay
the moment of their charge by any precautionary
measure, they moved forward in a compact body
along the direct road, flanked on either side by a
deep ditch ; and the fire of the artillery, which
was turned upon them, produced no other effect
on their order of march than to cause them to
draw their ranks closer, and to fill up with celerity
and steadiness the gaps which were made from
time to time in their column ; and ere the twilight
fell they had overthrown the first body of lans-
quenets, who had been entrusted by the Connetable
de Bourbon with the guard of the guns.
The king was conversing with D'Alviano, pre-
viously to seating himself at table, when Fleuranges
galloped into the camp with information from M.
de Bourbon that the Swiss were approaching. All
was immediately in movement ; and while Francis
assumed his arms, he urged D'Alviano to join
him with all speed with the Venetian army ; and
this done, he sprang into the saddle and has-
tened towards the enemy, followed by his body-
guard ; while D'Alviano hurried back to Lodi to
bring up such troops as he could collect upon the
instant.
History scarcely affords an example of a battle
disputed with greater obstinacy than that of Marig-
nano. The Swiss, intoxicated with vanity, hate,
1 86 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
and greed, fought as though all their renown as
soldiers were to be staked upon this one die ; while
Francis was surrounded by able and experienced
generals, and, although ignorant of the art of war,
was full of intrepidity and courage. When the
young king reached the field the action had, as
we have stated above, already commenced ; and
although the conne"table had taken every precaution
to strengthen his position, the serried attack of
the enemy placed the French troops at a disadvan-
tage, from the impracticability of their acting simul-
taneously. A large ditch had been dug to protect
the guns, which were flanked by the cavalry ; but
although a murderous fire continued to be turned
upon them, the mountaineers did not swerve or
hesitate for an instant. On they moved in silence,
darkening the causeway with their numbers, filling
up the places of their dead, and marching straight
upon the guns. Not even the appearance of the
cavalry, destitute as they were of such a force,
appeared to startle them ; but still they pressed
forward, concentrating all their efforts against their
detested rivals, the lansquenets, and apparently
regardless of the mounted troops. This fact, un-
fortunately, aroused the suspicions of the Germans,
who, perceiving that they were the sole objects of
attack, began to apprehend treachery ; and as this
fatal idea gained ground, they wavered and gave
way, ultimately retreating in disorder behind the
ditch, where the Swiss followed them so closely as
to gain possession of four of the guns.
1 5 IS FRANCIS THE FIRST 187
The rapid eye of the connetable detected the
truth at a glance, and, resolved to convince his
startled allies of the fallacy of their suspicion, he
caused the cavalry to attack the flank of the Swiss
column, which they did with considerable effect,
although from the nature of the ground they were
unable to manoeuvre, and could only advance by
five hundred at a time. Meanwhile Francis himself
advanced at the head of the Black Bands, 1 and made
a vigorous attack upon the opposite flank ; when the
lansquenets, at once convinced of their error, at-
tempted to regain the advantage they had lost, and,
after a desperate struggle, succeeded in driving the
enemy beyond the ditch, and once more turning the
guns against them. The dauntless courage of the
young monarch, who fought on foot, pike in hand,
like the force which he led, animated the enthusiasm
of the troops, and for a moment shook the arrogant
tranquillity of the Swiss ; but, nevertheless, nothing
important had been accomplished. Still the very
sky seemed to bristle with their long pikes, and
their ranks were as dense as at the commencement
of the action. In vain did the connetable and his
generals exert the most desperate valour ; in vain
did the panting horses press closely upon the fore-
most files, while their riders endeavoured to cut
their way through the thick-clinging mass ; again
and again they returned to the charge, only to be
1 These were the forces contributed by the Due de Gueldres,
who, during the long wars of their sovereign against the emperor,
having always fought under a black banner, had acquired this
appellation.
i88 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vu
foiled ; and at length, exhausted by their unsuccess-
ful efforts, they were compelled to fall back in some
disorder upon the infantry, when the king suddenly
charged one of the Swiss wings, consisting of four
thousand men, with two hundred gendarmes so
opportunely and so vigorously, that the division
was completely routed, and with a cry of " France !
France !" laid down their arms.
The similarity of uniform that existed between
the two armies, each of which bore the white cross,
was a serious disadvantage to the French, as, amid
the clouds of dust raised by the horses and artillery
and the deepening twilight, it was difficult for them
to distinguish friends from enemies, a circumstance
which had nearly led to the capture of the young
king, who, while at the head of his gendarmes,
imagined that he was approaching a body of lans-
quenets, and galloped towards them shouting his
rallying cry, when instantly a score of pikes were
levelled at him, and he was compelled to make
a hasty retreat with his squadron. The Swiss, on
the other hand, having no cavalry of their own,
could direct their weapons fearlessly against the
mounted force, nor did they fail to profit by such
an opportunity whenever it occurred ; but still,
conscious that they were indebted to the same
manceuvre for their success at Novara, they made
every other object subservient to the capture of the
artillery, and were never for an instant diverted
from their purpose.
As the moon rose less difficulty was experienced
I5IS FRANCIS THE FIRST 189
by the French, who were once more enabled to
distinguish friends from foes ; and Francis having
rallied a body of lansquenets joined the French
infantry, led by the connetable, and succeeded in
driving back the battalion which was marching upon
the guns. This was the most fearful moment of the
battle ; the two armies became intermixed, the
ditches were filled with dead, and no longer offered
an impediment to the passage of either party ; La
Tremouille, who yet writhed at the remembrance of
Novara, and his son, the Prince de Talmont, who
was equally anxious to avenge the honour of the
French arms, remained throughout the whole con-
flict upon this one spot, feeling that here, and only
here, would the fortunes of the fight be decided ;
while Bayard, who was close beside them, having
had his own war-horse killed under him, mounted a
second just previously to the last charge, and, more
intent upon the enemy than his own safety, suffered
the bridle to escape from his hand, when the spirited
animal, excited by the clashing of weapons and the
shrill battle-cries which resounded on every side, no
sooner found itself freed from restraint than it gal-
loped madly towards the Swiss lines, broke through
the foremost ranks, and would inevitably have
carried its rider into the very thick of the enemy's
forces had not its feet become entangled in some
trailing vines, which checked its headlong career.
The position of the good knight was perilous, but
not for a moment losing his presence of mind, he
threw himself from the saddle, cast off his helmet
THE COURT AND REIGN OF
and tasses, and crept along one of the ditches on
his hands and knees, until the shouts of " France !
France!" which pealed out close beside him, gave
him assurance that he had reached the French lines.
The Due de Lorraine, by whom he was immedi-
ately recognized, supplied him with a third horse,
and he obtained another helmet from a comrade in
the field. Little more, however, could for the pre-
sent be accomplished. Before midnight the moon
went down, and darkness compelled both hosts to
pause in a confusion which promised them ample
work for the morrow. The two armies were com-
pletely entangled ; several batteries had been taken,
and one Swiss battalion was so close upon the artil-
lery, beside which the king had taken up his post,
that it was found necessary to extinguish the
matches in order that the enemy might not discover
how slenderly he was attended. No signal of
retreat having been sounded by either party, the
confusion was complete, each corps or detachment
being compelled to make its bivouac where it had
been surprised by the darkness ; and thus friends
and enemies, the living and the dead, lay side by
side, sharing one common couch, until the daylight
should once more call the survivors to recommence
their struggle. The young king spent the re-
mainder of the night stretched on a gun-carriage,
completely armed, where he snatched a few inter-
vals of broken rest ; and having complained of
thirst and demanded a draught of water, it was
brought to him in a helmet, but so discoloured with
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 191
blood that, exhausted as he was, he put it from him
with loathing.
The hours of seeming rest were not, however,
suffered by the French leaders to pass in total
inaction. An Italian trumpeter, who was stationed
near the person of the king, and the sounds of
whose brazen instrument at intervals broke upon
the stillness of that field of blood like the trump of
the archangel, rousing the dying and awakening the
requiem of the dead, gave out signals to the dif-
ferent French regiments, who one by one approached
the royal person ; and thus, when the day broke,
Francis found himself once more surrounded by a
force of twenty thousand lansquenets, and all his
horse, while at the same time the horns of the
mountaineers were heard as if in response or de-
fiance, although no corresponding movement took
place among their forces.
At break of day the Swiss renewed the attack,
the artillery was impetuously assaulted, and the
Germans who defended it were driven back ; but
the present disposition of the French army enabled
it to withstand this first shock without any apparent
discomfiture, and the well-directed fire of the guns
opened a passage for the cavalry through the hostile
ranks, and turned the tide in favour of the assailed.
The Swiss soon became aware that they could not
successfully contend against the enemy upon this
point, and accordingly detached a strong force to
attack the French in the rear ; but in this attempt
they were also destined to be foiled, as the troops of
192 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAI>. vn
the Due d'Alen9on, which had hitherto taken no
part in the conflict, and the crossbow-men of De
Prie, having discovered the manoeuvre, charged
them with vigour, and totally routed the whole body.
It soon became evident that the star of Francis
was in the ascendant ; the Swiss began to give way,
but slowly, reluctantly, and with unbroken ranks,
contending for every inch of ground with a tenacity
which was heroic ; but at length they abandoned all
hope and retreated undisguisedly, although still with
their faces turned towards their enemies. When
the victory was complete the young king called a
council to decide upon the expediency of pursuit,
but the project was ultimately abandoned ; even
Bayard, ever the foremost where glory was to be
won, declaring that the day might yet come when
the co-operation of the Swiss would be valuable to
France ; and the most adventurous remembering
that the number and rank of their own wounded
demanded their first attention. The fugitives were
consequently permitted to re-enter Milan without
opposition, where they passed the remnant of the
eventful day which had witnessed their defeat, and
at dawn the following morning marched out in
mortified silence on their way towards their own
mountains.
D'Alviano, who by forced marches had reached
Marignano with some Venetian cavalry, only arrived
in time to attack the Swiss upon their homeward
path ; but the exertion which he had undergone
proved, nevertheless, fatal to his shattered consti-
15 1 5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 193
tution, and soon brought him to his grave. The
Swiss had suffered enormous loss, computed at from
twelve to fifteen thousand men ; nor had the
French, conquerors though they were, unalloyed
cause for rejoicing. They also had paid a heavy
price for their victory. Six thousand of their troops
had fallen, and among them were some of the most
chivalrous blood of the nation. Francois de Bour-
bon had been killed by his brother's side ; the brave
young Prince de Talmond, who had so nobly sup-
ported his father, was struck down before his eyes ;
Pierre de Gouffier Boisy, the gallant D'Imbercourt,
the Comte de Sancerre, the Sire de Mouy, Bussy,
the nephew of the Cardinal d'Amboise, La Meille-
raye, the king's standard-bearer, De Roye, and the
young Count di Pitigliano, were all among the
slain ; while the list of wounded was even more
appalling, and Bourbon owed his life to the in-
trepidity of a squadron of his own cavalry. Even
Francis himself, as we have already shown, barely
escaped capture ; while, true to his knightly tenets,
he had exposed his person throughout the whole
conflict so unsparingly that he was on more than
one occasion in imminent peril, and had a portion of
his dress transfixed by the blow of a pike.
The letter addressed by the young monarch to
his mother immediately after the battle is highly
characteristic alike of his personal courage and his
total want of power to understand, even at its close,
by what precise strategy the victory had been
secured to his own arms. " Because the avenue,"
VOL. i 1 3
194 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vu
he says, " by which the said Swiss were approach-
ing was rather narrow, it was not so possible to
place our gendarmes in the vanguard as though
we had been in the open country, which threatened
to throw us into great disorder. . . . And however
well and gallantly these men-at-arms charged, the
connetable, the Marechal de Chabannes, Imber-
court, Teligny, Pont-Remy, and others who were
there, they were thrown back upon their foot-
soldiers, so that, owing to the great dust, they
could scarcely see each other, especially as the
night was coming on, and there was some slight
confusion ; but God did me the favour to guide
me to the side of those who were pushing them
so hotly. I thought it well to charge them, and so
they were, and I promise you, Madame, however
well led and brave they were, our two hundred
gendarmes overcame four thousand Swiss, and
routed them rudely enough, making them throw-
down their pikes and cry France / . . . And you
must understand that the conflict of that night
lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon until be-
tween eleven and twelve, when the moon failed us.
And I assure you, Madame, that I saw the lans-
quenets measure pikes with the Swiss, the lances
with the gendarmes, and it can no longer be said
that the gendarmes are mounted hares, for without
fail it was they who did the business ; and I do not
believe that I lie when I say that by five hundred
and five hundred at a time, thirty fine charges were
made before the battle was won."
15 is FRANCIS THE FIRST 195
The entire letter is long, often playful, and occa-
sionally even flippant, when the gravity of the sub-
ject is considered ; but Francis was still young,
greedy of renown, and consequently almost careless
of the means and price at which it was acquired,
while the generosity of his character is apparent
in the fact that he speaks of his own exploits as
though they were mere matters of course, while he
withholds no praise from those by whom he was
surrounded. 1
1 " Au regard des Suisses, ils e"toient en trois troupes, la premiere
de dix mille, la seconde de nuit mille hommes, et la tierce de dix
mille hommes ; vous assurant qu'ils venoient pour chatier un prince
s'il n'eut etc* bien accompagne' ; car d'entree de table qu'ils sentirent
notre artillerie tirer, ils prindrent le pays couvert, ainsi que le soleil
commengoit a se coucher, de sorte que nous ne leur fimes pas grand
mal pour 1'heure de notre artillerie, et vous assure qu'il n'est pas
possible de venir en plus grande fureur ni plus ardemment : ils trou-
verent les gens de cheval de 1'avant-garde par le cote' ; et combien
que les dits hommes d'armes chargeassent bien et gaillardement, le
connetable, le Marechal de Chabannes, Ymbercourt Telligny, Pont
de Remy et autres qui etoient la si furent-ils reboutez sur leurs gens
de pied, de sorte avec grande poussiere que Ton ne se pouvoit voir,
aussi bien que la nuit venoit ; il y cut quelque peu de desordre ; mais
Dieu me fit la grace de venir sur le cote de ceux qui les chassoient
un peu chaudement, me sembla bon de les charger, et le furent de
sorte, et vous promets, Madame, si bien accompagnes et quelques
gentils galants qu'ils soient que deux cens hommes d'armes que nous
etions, en defismes bien quatre mille Suisses et les repoussames
assez rudement, leur faisant jetter leurs piques et crier France ! La-
quelle chose donna haleine a nos gens de la plus part de notre bande,
et ceux qui me purent suivre, allames trouver une autre bande de
huit mille hommes, laquelle a 1'approche cuidions qui fussent lans-
quenets, car la nuit etoit deja bien noire. Toutefois, quand ce vient
a crier France! je vous assure qu'ils nous jetterent cinq a six cent
piques au nez, nous montrant qu'ils n'dtoient point nos amis. Non-
obstant cela si furent-ils charge's et remis au-dedans de leurs tentes,
en telle sorte qu'ils laisserent de suivre les lansquenets et nous voyant
la nuit noire, et n'eust etd la lune qui aidoit, nous eussions bien etc 1
empeches a connoitre 1'un 1'autre ; et m'en allai jetter dans Partillerie
et la railler cinq ou six mille lansquenets et quelque trois cens hommes
d'armes, de telle sorte que je tins ferme a la grosse bande des Suisses.
196 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
On the Friday evening, the same upon which this
letter was written, the whole camp was loud with
rejoicing, and the bearing of each separate leader
was warmly discussed, when it was generally ad-
mitted that Bayard was the hero of the two days,
as he had ever been in the field of honour ; and
Francis himself was so fully impressed with the
same conviction, that before the night set in he
resolved, previously to creating knights with his
own hand, to receive knighthood himself at that
of Bayard : the romantic tastes in which he loved
to indulge having caused him to overlook the fact
that every monarch of France was necessarily
understood to be a knight even from the cradle.
Nevertheless the ceremony must have been an
imposing one, as the young king stood upon the
" Et cependant mon frere le connetable rallia tous les pietons fran-
gois et quelque nombre de gendarmerie, leur fit une charge si rude,
qu'il en tailla cinq ou six mille en pieces, et jetta cette bande dehors ;
et nous par 1'autre cote leur fismes jetter une vole"e d'artillerie a 1'autre
bande, et quant les chargeames de sorte que les emportames, leur
fismes passer un gue" qu'ils avoient passe" sur nous. Cela fait rail-
liames tous nous gens et retournames a I'artillerie ; et mon frere le
connetable sur 1'autre coin de camp, car les Suisses se logerent bien
pres de nous, si pres qu'il n'y avoit qu'un fosse entre deux ; toute la
nuit demeurasmes le cul sur la selle, la lance au poing, 1'armet a la
tete et nos lansquenets en ordre pour combattre ; et pour ce que
j'etois le plus pres de nos ennemis, m'a fallu faire le guet, de sorte
qu'ils ne nous ont point surpris au matin, et faut que vous entendiez
que le combat du soir dura depuis les trois heures apres midi jusques
entre onze et douze heures que la lime nous faillit, et y fut fait une
trentaine de belles charges. La nuit nous departit et meme la paille
pour recommencer au matin, et croyez, Madame, que nous avons etc"
vingt huit heures a cheval, 1'armet a la tete, sans boire ni manger."
Lettre de Frangois i er a la Duchesse d'Angouleme sa mere
sur la bataille de Marignan, e'crite du camp de Sainte-Brigide, le 1 4
Septembre i 5 i 5, le jour meme de la victoire. T. xvii. des Memoires
de la Collection Petitot, et t. i. de PHistoire de Francois Premier par
Gaillard, p. 482^488.
15 1 5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 197
battlefield where he had subdued his enemies, in
the midst of the brave and devoted chivalry of a
great nation ; the dead who had fallen in his cause
yet unearthed ; the living who had fought beside
him still at their post ; the gallant men who sur-
vived the conflict marshalled about him, girding
with their strength the proud group clustered about
their youthful and fearless and victorious sovereign ;
the banners of their beloved France streaming upon
the air, and the weapons which had so well and so
recently done their duty gleaming on all sides ;
feathers streaming, proud war-horses champing the
bit, and the artillerymen leaning upon their guns,
now dark and silent.
Mistaken as the act may have been, and worse
than supererogatory in a powerful monarch, the
scene must, nevertheless, have been one to make
high hearts leap and bold brows flush, as Francis
called Bayard to his side, and, with the noble and
endearing courtesy familiar to him, declared his in-
tention of being there and then knighted by the
hand of a warrior esteemed one of the most re-
nowned, not only of his own nation, but of all
Christendom ; and despite the disclaimers of his
astonished subject, he persisted in his determina-
tion.
"In good sooth, Sire," then exclaimed Bayard,
who would have held further objections to the com-
mand of his sovereign as discourteous and irreve-
rent, "since it is your royal pleasure that this should
be I am ready to perform your will, not once, but
198 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
many times, unworthy as I am of the high office to
which you have appointed me," and grasping his
sword proudly and firmly, he continued, as the
young king bent his knee, " May my poor agency
be as efficacious as though the ceremony were per-
formed by Oliver, Godfrey, or Baldwin, although,
in good truth, you are the first prince whom I have
ever dubbed a knight ; and God grant that you
may never turn your back upon an enemy." Then
brandishing his good weapon, and glancing sport-
ively at it, as the last rays of evening flashed upon
its polished blade, he apostrophized it as though it
were a thing of life, which could participate in his
own hilarity of spirit, exclaiming, "Thou art for-
tunate indeed to-day that thou hast been called
upon to confer knighthood upon so great and
powerful a monarch ; and certes, my trusty sword,
thou shalt henceforth be carefully guarded as a relic,
honoured above all others, and shalt never be un-
sheathed again save it be against the infidel !" Then,
lowering the point with reverence, he thrust it back
into its scabbard amid the enthusiastic shouts of the
excited army.
Many of the French officers, among whom one of
the most distinguished was the gallant young Mar-
quis de Fleuranges, then received the honour of
knighthood in their turn by the hand of Francis
himself; and three days having been consumed in
these ceremonies, and in the burial of those who
had fallen upon that memorable field, the French
struck their tents and marched towards Milan.
15 15 FRANCIS THE FIRST 199
The Cardinal of Sion had already taken refuge
in the coveted city, trusting still to retrieve the
disasters of Marignano, but he was soon undeceived
by the bearing of the fugitives who poured through
the gates after their defeat. So far from acknow-
ledging his authority, the mortified Swiss bitterly
reproached him with the result of his pernicious
counsels, upbraiding him with the blood which had
been spilt, and the disgrace of which he had been
the author ; and so fierce was their resentment that
he was wholly indebted to the sacredness of his
character for his escape from the vengeance of the
infuriated troops, who saw all their previous glory
and power annihilated by their present overthrow.
Nor did he long venture to trust even to this safe-
guard ; for, having convinced himself that his influ-
ence was at an end, he found it expedient to escape
by stealth from the city, carefully carrying with him,
however, the young Francesco Sforza, the brother
of the reigning duke, upon whom he looked as the
earnest of future dissension.
Milan gladly opened its gates to the conquerors,
for the terror which the battle of Marignano had
inspired forbade any further effort at resistance on
the part of its citizens ; but the citadel into which
Maximilian Sforza had retired still held out. Al-
though by the late defeat of his mercenary allies
he was rendered almost powerless, the duke had
been encouraged to defy his enemies to the last
extremity by the fact that ere they vacated the city
the Swiss had encouraged him to defend the for-
200 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
tress, declaring that they would shortly return in
increased force to effect his deliverance. Unfor-
tunately, however, the promise was accompanied
by a demand of their arrears of pay, which Maxi-
milian, who in losing his duchy had lost all, was no
longer in a position to satisfy ; and thus, with a dis-
play of magnanimity at the outset, they were finally
enabled to secure what they had become anxious to
obtain a plausible pretext for abandoning the weak
prince to his fate.
Dissensions had, moreover, broken out among
the Italian subjects of the duke and the small force
of Swiss who had determined to share his fortunes,
and thus, besieged from without and weakened by
jealousies and differences within, the citadel, with its
slender garrison of two thousand men, was unable
to withstand the ardour of the French led on by the
Due de Bourbon, and it accordingly surrendered,
twenty days after the battle of Marignano, together
with the city of Cremona, the only portion of Sforza's
territories which was not already in the possession
of the French king.
Francis proved himself, however, a generous
conqueror, conceded honourable conditions to the
conquered, suffered the entire garrison to evacuate
the citadel without molestation, and offered to Sforza
himself a safe asylum in France, with a pension of
thirty thousand crowns. Destitute alike of talent
and ambition, Maximilian eagerly embraced these
terms, and gladly retired from a position to which
he was unequal, and to which he would in all prob-
1 5i5 FRANCIS THE FIRST 201
ability never have aspired had he not listened to
the advice of pretended friends, whose interests
were served by his advancement, rather than to
the promptings of his own inclination. He accord-
ingly renounced his ducal rights in favour of the
French king, passed into France, and after linger-
ing through fifteen years of insignificance, ultimately
died in Paris on the loth of June 1530.
Francis was now master of the whole of the
Milanese, and a few days subsequent to the com-
pletion of the treaty made his ceremonious entry
into the captured city at the head of his army,
attended by five princes of the blood, when the oath
of allegiance was once more taken by the authori-
ties as readily and as glibly as though it had not
already been pledged and violated on many pre-
vious occasions. Congratulations, equally unmean-
ing, poured in from all sides, and the young king
saw himself at last sovereign of Milan.
CHAPTER VIII
Leo. X. proposes a treaty with France, which is ratified at Viterbo His
tergiversation Francis proceeds to Bologna to meet the Pope Policy
of the pontiff A league is formed between the two potentates Francis
agrees to abandon his designs on Naples The question of the Pragmatic
Sanction is discussed Discontent of the university of Paris Leo X.
endeavours to induce Francis to undertake a crusade against the Turks
The Concordat is signed Exultation of the French people Ferdinand
of Aragon endeavours to arouse the jealousy of Henry VIII. against
France The emperor raises a powerful army Lautrec besieges Brescia,
but is repulsed, and compelled to retire to Milan The Due de Bourbon
destroys the faubourgs of the city, and disbands the Swiss troops The
emperor threatens to raze the city of Milan The Swiss refuse to act
Maximilian escapes by night from the camp the siege of Milan is raised
The Swiss troops are recalled by the Diet The Imperialists evacuate
the Milanese Disgrace of Maximilian Brescia capitulates Death of
Ferdinand of Aragon He bequeaths his kingdom to the Archduke
Charles Francis issues several edicts which are unfavourably received
by his subjects Arrogance of the chancellor Education of Charles of
Aragon His prospects He endeavours to conciliate Francis Jealousy
of M. de Chievres against the Cardinal Ximenes Charles sends an
ambassador to France The two monarchs enter into a treaty of alliance
The hand of the infant Princesse Louise promised to the Spanish king
The peace of Noyon Maximilian accedes to the treaty State of the
Venetian territories Francis opens a negotiation with the Helvetic
States, and concludes a treaty of amity with Switzerland.
LEO X., versed in all the refinements of Italian
policy, abandoned with their success the cause of his
allies ; and as the victory of Marignano had secured
the ascendency of Francis in Italy, he lost no time
in seeking to obtain his friendship. A nuncio
was despatched immediately that the result of the
battle became known, ostensibly to congratulate the
1515-17 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I 203
French monarch, but the real object of whose
mission was to propose a treaty, by which the
sovereign pontiff volunteered to relinquish his pre-
tensions to Parma and Piacenza, and to withdraw
the papal troops which were serving under the em-
peror, on condition that, as a compensation for these
territories, Bologna should be ceded to him, as well
as a monopoly of the commerce in salt from Cervia.
To this proposition Francis acceded, and the
treaty was ratified at Viterbo on the I3th of October.
The two forfeited cities opened their gates, the garri-
sons marched out, and they were left at the disposal
of the French. In the second clause of the treaty
Leo was, however, less honest ; for instead of re-
calling the troops who were serving under the
standard of Maximilian, he simply disbanded them,
thus leaving each individual free to re-engage him-
self in the same army, while he acted with the same
prudent reserve when proposing to Francis that ere
he left Italy they should meet and confer together
upon such subjects as might concern their mutual
interests. Having once given his assent to this
arrangement, the young king prepared to proceed to
Rome ; but the wily Pope had already imbibed a
suspicion that the conqueror of Marignano had
designs against Naples ; and, resolved not to smooth
his path towards this new object of ambition, he
affected to deprecate the idea of his undergoing the
inconvenience and fatigue which such a journey
must involve, and suggested Bologna as the more
desirable point of meeting.
204 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
Thither, therefore, Francis repaired, brilliantly
attended, and was met on the confines of the eccle-
siastical states by a body of thirty cardinals, who
welcomed him with every demonstration of respect
and regard, and by whom he was at once conducted
to the consistory in great state, in order that he might
without loss of time pay that spiritual homage to the
pontiff which was enforced from every Christian
monarch by whom he was approached. The French
king entered the church supported by two cardinal-
bishops, and followed by his chancellor and barons,
habited in vests and haut-de-chausses of cloth of gold;
himself holding the train of the Pope's robe until he
approached the altar, when he took his seat upon a low
stool beside him, rising and kneeling with the assem-
bled cardinals. When the pontiff communicated, the
king presented the water and napkin with which he
washed his hands ; while the former was warned not
to raise his hand to his cap, as he was in the habit
of doing upon such occasions, lest the action should
be observed, and construed into an intentional
courtesy towards his royal assistant, which it would
be indecorous in the vicar of Christ to exhibit in
public towards any temporal monarch.
The great ambition of Francis having been for
some time a reconciliation with the sovereign-pontiff,
he was at once fascinated by the urbane bearing and
specious sophistry of his host, who, although he had
nearly reached his fortieth year, possessed all the
tastes and habits of a younger man, and, enamoured
rather of military glory than ecclesiastical probity,
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 205
spent his life in dreams of conquest and a round of
pleasure and dissipation. Having by his reckless
extravagance exhausted the immense treasures
accumulated by his predecessor, Leo X. was desirous
of subjecting additional provinces to the authority
of the Holy See, in order that he might be enabled
to levy new tributes ; and he accordingly felt it
expedient to conciliate his most dangerous rival
in this game of warfare by every means in his
power.
Nothing could exceed the brilliancy of the
festivals given in honour of the young conqueror.
The streets through which he passed were draped
with silks and tapestry, and strewn with leaves and
flowers ; while, equally devoted to splendour and
pleasure, the two potentates passed several days
in the most magnificent dissipation before they pro-
ceeded to the more serious business which had
induced the meeting.
These days were not, however, lost to the crafty
Leo, who, sufficiently skilled in physiognomy to
discern at a glance the principal failing of his
princely guest, assailed him by an excess of flattery
which he was constitutionally unable to withstand ;
and, this point gained, induced him to purchase his
reconciliation with the Church by conditions which
were degrading alike to a sovereign and a con-
queror.
While the two contracting parties formed a league
of strict alliance, not only between themselves person-
ally, but also between their separate states, Francis, in
206 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vin
addition, conceded his guarantee of protection to all
the ecclesiastical possessions, and pledged himself
not only to assist the Pope to recover all the pro-
perties of the Church to which he could advance a
valid right, but even to place implicit trust in the
word of the pontiff, whenever these claims might be
disputed. He likewise promised not to receive
under his protection any vassal, feudatory, or church-
man of his holy ally who might have rendered, or
should hereafter render, himself obnoxious to his
spiritual sovereign, and to withdraw his favour from
all such as he should have already provided with
an asylum in France. He assured to the Pope, as
we have stated, the commerce in salt, which, in
point of fact, secured to him a monopoly of the
whole trade in that essential article throughout the
Milanese ; and promised to the Florentine republic,
or, in other words, to the house of Medicis, by
whom it was governed, the same guarantees as to
the Church itself; and he especially pledged himself
to support the power of Giuliano and Lorenzo de'
Medici, the former of whom had been constantly
associated in all public measures of the pontiff, and
to grant to them titles of honour in France and
large pensions.
Meanwhile, in return for all these important con-
cessions Leo did no more than promise to support
the king in his sovereignty of the duchy of Milan,
such as he then held it ; and to restore the cities of
Parma and Piacenza, which he had himself detached
from that province.
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 207
Three days were consumed in this unequal, and,
to Francis, unfavourable conference, during the
course of which the Italian pontiff succeeded, more-
over, in inducing him to abandon all present designs
upon Naples ; representing to him that the health of
Ferdinand was becoming sufficiently precarious to
justify the anticipation of his early demise, at which
period he should himself be freed from his engage-
ments towards that monarch, and at liberty to assist
the views of France. Anxious to retain the newly
acquired friendship of the Pope, Francis was induced
to comply with this request also, although not al-
together unconditionally. He could not overlook
the fact that the Duke of Ferrara, who was a
feudatory of the Holy See, had forfeited, through his
fidelity to his own cause, the territories of Modena
and Reggio ; or that the Duke of Urbino, a kinsman
of the previous Pope, had been deprived of the
estates which he held of the see of Rome for
having fought throughout the recent war under the
French banner, and he accordingly stipulated that
the former should be reinstated in his possessions,
and the domains of the latter restored to him.
The first proposition was, after some difficulty,
accepted by Leo X., but even then only upon the
condition that he should personally be reimbursed in
certain sums which he declared that the defalcation
of the duke had caused him to expend ; to the latter
he merely replied that he would give all necessary
consideration to the subject ; and with this equivocal
answer Francis suffered himself to be satisfied.
2o8 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
The question of the Pragmatic Sanction, involv-
ing as it did more serious and important conse-
quences, was deputed to the investigation and discus-
sion of commissioners, who were empowered to
examine and to decide upon the conflicting interests
which must be affected by its arrangement. This
was ultimately accomplished by a mutual concession,
and the terms being carefully arranged and specified,
the treaty received the name of Concordat, the Pope
granting to the French king the privilege of nominat-
ing to all the vacant benefices in his kingdom, and
Francis, on his side, engaging to pay to the pontiff
the year's revenue of benefices so bestowed.
The university of Paris, however, saw with a
jealous eye the project of an arrangement which
annihilated the freedom of ecclesiastical elections ;
and refused either to register or to recognize the
right of the monarch thus to limit the powers of the
Gallican Church, and to divert its revenues, accusing
him of having bartered its unalienable rights in order
to further his personal interests. Having, by an
assembly at Bourges in 1438, liberated themselves
in a great degree from all interference with the
internal economy of their Church on the part
of the Pope, and released themselves from his
exactions, the French clergy were naturally averse
to feel the yoke of papal despotism once more upon
their necks ; and thus this, one of the most unpopular
measures of Francis, became at once a source of
heartburning and suspicion.
The next attempt of the wily pontiff was to in-
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 209
duce the young sovereign to undertake a crusade
against the Turks ; a project which he considered
as eminently suited at once to excite the ardent and
chivalrous nature of Francis, and to deliver himself
for a time from a dangerous neighbour ; while in
order the more to please his fancy and to arouse his
ambition in favour of such an expedition, he pro-
posed to bestow upon him the title of Emperor of the
East. Francis accepted the courtesy, but regarded
the whole transaction as nothing more, declining
to assume a dignity which he was conscious that his
host had no power to confer, and confining his ambi-
tion to other and more feasible enterprises. Nor
were the two high contracting parties the only ones
who were, at this important crisis, occupied in the
furtherance of their individual interests at Bologna.
All who directly, or indirectly, assisted in the nego-
tiations put forth their several claims ; money, pen-
sions, honours, and ecclesiastical benefices were
lavishly distributed among the adherents of the
Pope. The hand of Philiberte de Savoie, the sister
of Madame d'Angouleme, but two and twenty years
her junior, was promised to Giuliano de' Medici,
with the duchy of Nemours as her dowry ; while
Adrian de Boissy, the brother of the grand-master,
received a cardinal's hat.
Altogether the negotiations became ere their
close so lengthy and complicated that the Concordat,
by which they were finally terminated, was not
signed until the i8th of August 1516.
The conquest of Milan assured, and that of
VOL. i 14
2io THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vin
Naples suspended for a time, Francis proceeded to
disband his army, retaining only seven hundred
lances, six thousand lansquenets, and four thousand
Basques, whom he placed under the command of
the Connetable de Bourbon, as his lieutenant-general
in the Milanese, for the protection of that duchy ;
.and he then departed for France, where he arrived
in February 1516, and was welcomed at Lyons by
the queen and the duchess his mother, surrounded
by a brilliant Court, composed of all that was fairest
and noblest in his dominions.
The whole kingdom rang with acclamations. All
was for the moment at peace both within and with-
out, and although clouds might lower upon the
political horizon they had not yet burst. The Swiss
had been pacified, if not thoroughly conciliated, by
the payment of their claims ; the Venetians, with
the assistance of Lautrec and his little army, were
still occupied in endeavouring to repossess them-
selves of their former territories ; but Francis soon
became aware that Ferdinand, alarmed at his suc-
cess, had (feeble and failing as he was) endeavoured,
with a view of distracting his attention from Naples,
to excite against him the jealousy of Henry VIII.,
and had already succeeded in forming a cabal at the
English Court, with the assistance of Wolsey, in
which the French monarch was accused of a secret
enmity towards England an intrigue which had
already attained to a height that threatened an
approaching war between the two powers. This
evil was, however, averted through the sound judg-
FRANCIS THE FIRST 211
ment and good policy of the English council ; but
Henry had been sufficiently prejudiced by the repre-
sentations that were made to him to furnish the
emperor secretly with a considerable sum of money,
in order to assist him in a new attempt to recover
the Milanese, and to place Francesco Sforza, the
brother of Maximilian, upon the ducal throne.
The subsidies which he had recently received
from both Henry VIII. and Ferdinand, and which
he had not yet dissipated, enabled the emperor to
raise a formidable army of sixteen thousand German
cavalry, fifteen thousand Swiss, and ten thousand
Spanish foot-soldiers. The French troops, under
Lautrec, were at that period (March 1516) besieging
Brescia, in conjunction with the Venetians, and con-
sidered themselves secure of taking the city, the
garrison having determined to surrender in thirty
days, should they not receive succour from without.
Before that time had elapsed, however, a force of
six thousand Germans succeeded in introducing
themselves into the fortress, while the emperor
appeared in the field at the head of his army, and
the besiegers found themselves compelled to re-
treat, first beyond the Mincio, and subsequently to
abandon not only that river but also those of the
Oglio and Adda, and to shut themselves up in
Milan, which the Due de Bourbon hastily fortified
as well as circumstances would permit, destroy-
ing for that purpose the extensive and populous
faubourgs.
Fortunately for the French, Maximilian did not
212 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
pursue his advantage with the promptitude which
would have ensured his ultimate success ; and time
was accordingly secured for the arrival of a re-
inforcement of thirteen thousand Swiss, raised by
Albert de la Pierre in the eight cantons which had
accepted the peace proffered by Francis I. the pre-
ceding year, as well as of a considerable body of
troops from France. The former, however, were
not destined to prove serviceable to Bourbon, the
influence of the Bishop of Sion, who was in the
enemy's camp, being once more exerted to separate
them from the cause of France, in which he so far
succeeded as to induce them to declare that they
would not take the field against their own country-
men. In vain did the duke expostulate, they re-
mained firm in their determination, and he at length
indignantly disbanded the whole force with the ex-
ception of the company commanded by Albert de la
Pierre, which also stipulated that it should only be
employed against the Germans, and the army of
mercenaries marched out of the garrison an event
which greatly rejoiced the emperor, who now con-
ceived the success of his enterprise secure, and sat
down before Milan, declaring that he would raze
the city to the earth and strew its site with salt
unless it instantly capitulated.
This threat was, however, disregarded by the
French general, and the siege proceeded ; but un-
fortunately for Maximilian, the Genoese bankers, to
whom Henry VIII. had confided the sum promised
to the emperor, having failed before it was trans-
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 213
mitted, he found himself unable to fulfil his engage-
ments with his mercenary allies, who began to
murmur, and to demand the immediate payment of
their stipends. Maximilian strove to pacify them
by promises, but they had already experienced the
fallacy of similar pledges upon his part, and refused
to listen to any compromise. He pointed to Milan,
the plunder of which city would, as he anticipated,
shortly enable him to pay up the arrears of his whole
army ; but the Swiss reminded him that the town
was not yet taken, and, with the knowledge of
his helplessness, their insolence soon exceeded all
bounds, and they threatened, should he not satisfy
their claims upon the instant, to offer themselves in
a body to the Connetable de Bourbon, by whom
they should be paid for their services. In this strait
Maximilian found himself compelled to send sixteen
thousand crowns to their leaders, by the Cardinal of
Sion, desiring him to assure them that he would
immediately proceed to Trent to obtain a further
supply in order to liquidate all their claims ; but
this was no sooner done than, fearing he should in
his turn be abandoned, or even delivered over to his
enemies, as Ludovico Sforza had formerly been by
these very troops, he left the camp in the night,
accompanied only by two hundred horsemen, and
escaped into Germany, leaving his army without a
leader.
His flight was no sooner ascertained than the
troops disbanded themselves, the siege of Milan
was raised, and a few days subsequently the Swiss
2i4 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
of both armies received an order from the diet
immediately to return home, which they obeyed in
their usual manner, plundering, as they went, every
town and village which was not strong enough to
venture upon resistance, and thus indemnifying
themselves for the non-payment of their salary.
About three thousand German and Spanish merce-
naries joined the army of the Due de Bourbon,
while the confederated troops retired rapidly from
the country, harassed in their retreat by the French,
whom they left once more in undisputed possession
of the Milanese ; and Maximilian found himself in
ignoble security, having forfeited the military repu-
tation which he had acquired in his youth by a
pusillanimity perhaps unequalled.
Brescia was once more besieged and capitulated,
but Verona still refused to admit the French troops,
and as its means of defence were great, and the
abilities of its military governor Antonio Colonna 1
well known, the siege promised to become intermin-
able. At this particular period the death of Ferdi-
nand of Aragon delivered France from her most
formidable enemy, and removed from the path of
Francis himself the only monarch whose long ex-
perience, subtle arts, and numerous resources he
had reason to apprehend.
Contrary to the previsions of all around him, who
were aware of his jealousy of his grandson Charles,
1 Marco-Antonio Colonna distinguished himself greatly in the
wars of Italy against the French, to which cause he was, however,
subsequently won over by Francis I. He was killed at the siege of
Milan in 1522, at the age of forty-nine years.
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 215
and equally at variance with his previous resolve,
which had been to constitute the younger of the
brothers heir to the crown, only on the day which
preceded his death Ferdinand had executed a new
will, by which he bequeathed his kingdom to the
elder an act of justice which had been reluctantly
wrung from him even at the eleventh hour by his
most faithful counsellors, who had induced him thus
to gainsay his own wishes by representing that as
Charles was already heir-apparent to the throne of
Austria, the union of that kingdom with the crown
of Spain would tend to weaken the power of France
a consideration which absorbed all others. Thus
the accession of the Archduke Charles united under
one sovereign the Netherlands and Franche-Comte,
the kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and Naples, with
the newly-discovered treasures of the western world ;
but that sovereign had as yet scarcely emerged from
boyhood ; his dominions lay distant and disjointed ;
the various people over whom he was called upon to
rule were unconnected by laws, by customs, and by
language, and regarded each other with jealousy and
distrust ; while many of the states, attached to their
ancient rights and privileges, and apprehensive of
their subversion, were inimical to his interests, and
considered Francis as their most natural ally.
Nevertheless the French king suffered the favour-
able moment to escape him, and even while he fore-
saw the gathering storm neglected the measures by
which it would probably have been averted, and
instead of attacking the infant power of his rival,
216 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vn
permitted it peaceably to attain to maturity and
strength, trusting to the delusive arts of negotiation
to effect that which a wiser policy might have com-
pelled.
Thus, while the evil gained ground apparently
unappreciated, Francis, withdrawing his attention
from subjects of more vital importance, turned it
upon the internal organization of the kingdom, and
profited by the momentary calm to issue several
new ordinances, some of which were highly unpalat-
able to his subjects. His first edict, prompted by
Duprat, had already awakened murmurs which, al-
though ultimately silenced, were not altogether sup-
pressed ; but in March 1516 he published a new
ordinance at Lyons, purporting to protect the forest-
rights of himself and his nobles, which roused the
indignation of both parliament and people. " The
young king," says Isambert, " angered by the fact
that many persons, not having the right of chase, do
take certain brown and black animals, such as hares,
pheasants, partridges, and other game, thus com-
mitting felony and impeding and curtailing our
pastime," fulminated the most severe threats against
all poachers and unlicensed sportsmen, condemning
them, according to the flagrancy of their crime, to
fines, floggings, banishment under pain of the gibbet,
confiscation of property, the galleys, and even death
itself. He, moreover, inflicted severe punishment
on those who, within the limits of the royal forests,
possessed arms suited either to war or sport ; and,
finally, he gave to all the princes of the blood,
7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 217
nobles, and proprietors of forest lands or warrens
throughout the kingdom, the right of maintain-
ing the exclusive privilege of sporting upon
their property, which was guaranteed to them
by punishments equally severe against all in-
truders.
The parliament at once refused to register such
an ordinance, and presented a remonstrance to the
monarch, entreating him to mitigate the extreme
stringency of this new edict, which must tend to
exasperate such of his faithful subjects as not only
paid the tax, but also supported all the burthen of
the state. Its representations were, however, re-
ceived with indifference and disregard, and the
chancellor declared that the king was both in-
dignant and surprised that the parliament should
presume to oppose his will, when it must be aware
that the sovereign alone had the right to regulate
the administration of his kingdom. " Obey," he
concluded, " or the king will recognize in you only
rebels, whom he will punish like the meanest of his
subjects." The parliament neverthless resisted
during twelve months, but at the termination of
that period the unrighteous ordinance was regis-
tered.
Charles had scarcely attained his sixteenth year
when he succeeded to the Spanish crown, but, young
as he was, the rigid training to which he had been
subjected by the prudent foresight of his governor,
M. de Chievres, had long accustomed him to the
transaction of public business and the duties of a
2i8 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vin
monarch. Every despatch which arrived from the
provinces, even during the course of the night, was
immediately presented to him, and when he had
informed himself of its contents he personally com-
municated them to his council, where they were
discussed in his presence. A remonstrance having
been made to the Seigneur de Chievres on this sub-
ject upon one occasion by the French ambassador,
who testified his surprise that he should inflict such
an amount of tedious and frequently untimely labour
upon a mere boy when he might so easily relieve
him from it, the wise preceptor replied firmly :
" Cousin, I am the tutor and guardian of his youth,
and I wish that when I die he may be independent
of all extraneous help ; whereas, if he were un-
acquainted with public business, he must, after my
decease, have a new guardian, from his ignorance of
his own affairs."
Thus, even from his boyhood, Charles had ac-
quired habits of thoughtfulness and foresight which
gave him throughout his whole life a great advantage
over the volatile and romantic Francis I., who seldom
suffered more serious subjects to interfere with his
personal gratification. The moment of his accession
was, however, critical ; he had to fear that Spain
would persist in bestowing her dual crown upon his
younger brother Ferdinand, who, unlike himself, had
been entirely educated under the eye of the late
king, and who had long been regarded as his
destined successor. By the will so tardily destroyed
the junior prince had been declared grand-master of
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 219
the military orders of Spain, and endowed with
revenues and power well constituted to render him
an effective leader in any civil contention ; and a
cabal existed in Aragon in favour of his claims to
the sovereignty which he had been led to expect,
while even in Castile doubts were expressed as to
the right of Charles to assume the crown before the
death of his mother, whose hopeless derangement
nevertheless precluded her from ascending the
throne.
At the decease of Ferdinand Charles was in
Flanders, and, although naturally desirous to take
possession of his new dominions, he was detained
by powerful obstacles in the Low Countries. The
war in Italy was not yet terminated, and, with the
crown of his grandfather, the young king inherited
his love of enterprise and thirst for conquest, but he
could not inspire the Flemish people with his mili-
tary ardour ; they shrank, on the contrary, from a
prospect of hostilities with France which must tend
to injure their commercial interests, and Charles was
not in a position to enforce his views. He had,
therefore, no alternative save to seek the friendship
and alliance of Francis, to which he was urged by the
representations of M. de Chievres, who impressed
upon him the imperative necessity of conciliating
his new subjects before he attempted any foreign
aggression ; the Cardinal Ximenes, Archbishop of
Toledo, 1 who had, by the will of the late king, been
1 Don Francisco Ximenes was born at Torrelaguna, in Old
Castile, in 1437, and studied at Alcala and Salamanca, where he
220 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
appointed regent of the kingdom until the arrival of
his grandson, having, despite his great age, rigor-
ously commenced the discharge of his trust, and
already begun to interfere with the privileges of the
nobles, and to enhance those of the citizens and
municipalities. Moreover, M. de Chievres was
anxious to avoid, so far as it might be practicable,
any familiar intercourse between his royal pupil and
the powerful prelate of whose influence he was appre-
hensive. Thus Charles upon his accession found
himself surrounded by difficulties, and at once
became aware that his wisest policy would be to
conciliate the friendship of France, and thus secure
an efficient ally in case of need, as well as a safe
passage into Spain.
To effect this important object Charles despatched
the Sire de Ravenstein as his ambassador to the
French Court, who, on the part of his master, re-
afterwards became a tutor of laws. He then obtained a canonry in
the diocese of Siguenza, and subsequently the post of Grand-Vicar.
Disgusted with the world, he first took the vows as a Cordelier in
the convent of Toledo, but, still dissatisfied with the enforced contact
with his fellow-men, he withdrew from the cloister to the solitude of
Castanel. Isabella the Catholic, hearing the report of his talents
and austerities, selected him as her confessor, and in 1495 presented
him with the archbishopric of Toledo. Julius II. afterwards called
him to the conclave, and Ferdinand in his turn confided to him the
administration of public affairs. Xime'nes then resolved to engage
in an African war, and himself headed the troops, and took Oran in
i 509. Ferdinand, when dying, appointed him, as we have shown,
regent of the kingdom of Castile (i 516). In this capacity he reduced
to obedience the haughty nobility who refused to recognize Charles
V. as their king ; and, in order to humble them further, he permitted
the citizens to bear arms, and accorded to them numerous privileges.
He reformed and reorganized the governments of the towns, armies,
and monasteries, and punished with great severity both theft and
assassination. He died in 1517.
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 221
quested Francis to appoint some convenient spot
where the delegates of the two sovereigns might
confer together, for the purpose of terminating any
differences which existed either between themselves or
their allies. The proposal was an acceptable one to
the French king, who on his side was desirous to
establish by a peace his recent conquests in Italy ;
and accordingly commissioners were appointed in
the persons of Artur Gouffier, Seigneur de Boissy,
and Antoine de Croy, Seigneur de Chievres, the ex-
governors of the two young monarchs, while Noyon
was selected as their place of meeting.
On the ist of August they entered the city; and
on the 1 3th of the same month a treaty of alliance
between Charles and Francis was signed, by which
they separately bound themselves to assist each
other, not only in reciprocal defence, but also in the
attainment of such conquests as they might legiti-
mately attempt. The question still pending on the
subject of Navarre was arranged by the pledge of
M. de Chievres that Charles should, so soon as he
had secured peaceable possession of the Spanish
crown, carefully investigate the claims of Henri
d'Albret, 1 and render him ample justice ; or that
Francis should be left free to give him whatever
assistance he might deem fitting. The pretensions
of the French king to Naples, based upon the
treaty of Ferdinand on his marriage with Ger-
maine de Foix, were undeniable, and consequently
1 Henri d'Albret II., King of Navarre, and Comte de Foix. He
died in 1555.
222 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
engaged the more serious attention of the plenipo-
tentiaries, by whom it was ultimately decided that in
order to reconcile the interests of the two sovereigns
Charles should pledge himself to espouse the infant
Princesse Louise, the daughter of Francis, then
about twelve months old, receiving as her dowry
all the claims of her father to the Neapolitan domin-
ions ; but as it was stipulated that the baby-bride
should remain under the guardianship of Queen
Claude until her eighth year, and that the marriage
should not be solemnized until she had attained her
twelfth, Charles, who was at that moment in posses-
sion of Naples, was to pay the annual sum of a
hundred thousand crowns to the King of France
until the period of the union ; and one -half the
amount yearly, so long as the princess should con-
tinue childless.
Such were the conditions of the peace of Noyon,
which afforded a transient season of repose to the
respective subjects of both potentates, and was
accordingly welcome to all ; but it is nevertheless
certain that the more able diplomacy of M. de
Chievres had rendered the treaty infinitely more
favourable to his master than it would have been
had the actual position of Francis been brought
more skilfully to bear upon the several questions at
issue. Charles could command no sure ingress to
his Spanish territories ; party spirit was strong
against him ; he was inexperienced in war, and had
yet to establish the reputation as a soldier which
Francis had already acquired ; while even his claim
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 223
upon Naples was a divided one. Yet no real advan-
tage was secured to the French king by the league
into which he had just entered ; the project of mar-
riage was a mere chimera, advanced as a pretext
rather than considered as a condition, which, how-
ever well it served to disguise the fact that Charles
was in truth paying, or about to pay, an annual tribute
to his brother-monarch for that moiety of the crown
of Naples which was thus ceded to him, by no means
enhanced the interests of Francis, to whom such an
equivalent was altogether inadequate. The Navar-
rese question, moreover, was virtually still as un-
decided as ever ; for while Charles had bound him-
self vaguely to see justice done, he had been careful
not to specify any particular point upon which his
intentions might at once be brought to bear ; while
Francis had retained his right, in the event of this
not being accomplished, not only to assist the
interests of the queen of Navarre against Charles
himself, but even to uphold the Venetians in their
opposition to Maximilian.
As this latter privilege, however, threatened to
overthrow the designs of Charles, he prevailed upon
the emperor to join in the league ; and his imperial
majesty was induced to acquiesce in the suggestion
by the offer of a hundred thousand crowns from the
state of Venice, and a conviction that Verona could
not longer resist the combined attacks of the army
of Lautrec, and the famine by which the garrison
was already exposed to great and hopeless privations.
The accession of Maximilian to the treaty hushed
224 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, vm
the tempest of war which had so long agitated
Europe ; for although Francis restored the evacuated
city to the Venetians, who once more saw themselves
in possession of nearly all the provinces which Louis
XII. had endeavoured to wrench from them in 1508,
they were still so despoiled and depopulated that
they were deprived of all the elements of self-defence ;
while the continued animosity of the Swiss towards
France had weakened the resources of Francis him-
self, a fact of which he was so well aware that the
league was no sooner formally completed than he
took instant measures to conciliate all the neighbour-
ing nations ; and despatched his uncle, the Bastard
of Savoy, Louis de Forbins, and Charles du Plessis
to Fribourg, to open a fresh negotiation with the
whole Helvetic body, and to propose to them an
extension of the peace which had been concluded
between himself and eight of their cantons during
the previous year. This treaty of " perpetual amity "
between France and Switzerland was discussed,
framed, and signed on the 2gth of November 1517 ;
and the pledge then given by the Swiss never again to
bear arms against the French was strictly observed,
save in the case of a few adventurers, who, incited by
the prospect of greater gain, or influenced by the vio-
lent and undying hatred of the Cardinal of Sion, oc-
casionally enrolled themselves in the ranks of the
enemy.
By the same document the Swiss recognized the
claim of Francis I. to the Milanese ; while he agreed
to accord a free amnesty to all the natives of that
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 225
province who had taken refuge in Switzerland, and
to pay off the demands of the troops for past services
by the sum of seven hundred thousand golden
crowns, with other donations and privileges, which
were all clearly defined.
VOL. i 15
CHAPTER IX
Domestic life of Francis The Court of Queen Claude Anticipated birth of a
dauphin Circle of Madame d'Angouleme Licentiousness of the young
king He resolves to form a distinct Court The Comtesse de Chateau-
briand Her birth and girlhood Her marriage The count is summoned
to Court His forebodings The mystic rings Mistaken confidence
Reception of the count by Francis Treachery of a confidant The
countess arrives at Chambord Displeasure of her husband A misunder-
standing The queen's reception Presentation of the countess to the
king The queen and the countess Mistaken violence of M. de Chateau-
briand The influence of a Court atmosphere Policy of Louise de Savoie
M. de Chateaubriand retires from the Court.
THUS far the rapid march of more important events
has compelled us to pass over in silence the domes-
tic, or rather the private, avocations of Francis, who,
finding himself at length enabled by a temporary
peace to indulge in those libertine pursuits to which
he was so painfully addicted, soon wearied of the
staid and rigorous circle which his virtuous queen
had gathered about her, as well as of the strict re-
tirement to which she was at this moment compelled
by the delicate condition of her health, which gave
renewed hope of the birth of a dauphin ; and for a
time he passed all his leisure hours in the lighter
Court of his mother, where beauty and licentiousness
alike attracted him. Unlike Anne de Bretagne, who
COURT AND RETGN OF FRANCIS I 227
had stringently discountenanced the presence of ladies
at the public festivities, and only suffered them to
appear upon occasions of ceremony, where they might
serve to enhance her own dignity and that of the royal
circle, Madame d'Angouleme had urged upon her son
the expediency of including them in all the amuse-
ments and pageantries which were constantly recur-
ring, and of permitting them to assume their station
as an integral portion of his Court a recommendation
to which he at once gave his unhesitating assent ; and
thus the wives and daughters of all the principal
nobility found themselves emancipated from the
shackles of that severe etiquette to which they had
previously been subjected, and unfortunately soon
overstepped in their pride of freedom the limits of
that decorum which should have been their greatest
charm.
Soon, however, the young monarch wearied of
the fair and frail beauties of his mother's circle, and
aspired to still wider conquests. It did not suffice
that he had sacrificed the honour and blighted the
home happiness of many of the brave men who had
fought beside him ; France still contained much that
was at once lovely and high born ; and he ere long
resolved to form a Court for himself which should
surpass all those of the rest of Europe, alike in grace
and magnificence, and in which women should reign
supreme ; declaring that a " Court without ladies was
a year without a spring, or rather a spring without
roses."
In furtherance of this design he summoned about
228 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
him all the wealthy nobles who habitually resided in
their ancestral castles, and who eagerly responded to
the call of their sovereign, and arrived at Amboise
accompanied by the females of their families, many
of whom were both beautiful and accomplished, and
all flattered by so signal a mark of royal favour.
One, however, failed him ; and that one was pre-
cisely the individual whom he had been the most
anxious to attract the young and brilliant Franchise
de Foix, Comtesse de Chateaubriand, whose extra-
ordinary attractions, despite the retirement in which
she lived, had been a frequent subject of discourse
among his courtiers.
This beautiful woman was the daughter of
Phebus de Foix, Vicomte de Lautrec, and of
Jeanne d'Aydie, elder daughter and heiress of
Odet d'Aydie, Comte de Comminges, and was born
about the year 1495. The family of Foix was
both ancient and illustrious, and recognized no
superiors save the princes of the blood, although
so much impoverished from the number of its male
descendants as to leave the lovely and only daughter
of the house without a portion consistent with her
rank. Her extreme beauty, however, sufficed to
overrule even this consideration, so important in all
ages to eligible marriage in France, and brought to
her feet the young and accomplished Jean de Laval
de Montmorency, Seigneur de Chateaubriand, when
she had barely attained her fourteenth year. In
1509 she became his wife, and, happy in a union
which left her young and affectionate nature nothing
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 229
to desire, accompanied him to his castle in Brittany,
where she passed the first period of her wedded life
in peace and seclusion, without a wish or a care
beyond the narrow circle of her home.
This tranquillity was not, however, destined to
endure. The Comte de Chateaubriand could not
evade compliance with the expressed will of his
sovereign ; but, tenderly attached to his young wife,
he was anxious, before he suffered her to appear in
the circle of the king, to form his own judgment as
to the safety with which he might permit her pre-
sentation. The known morals of Francis I. were
not calculated to inspire confidence, and in the fair
and graceful and gifted partner of his home the
count had garnered up his all of hope and happiness.
Thus then he revolved in his mind, with all the
jealousy of deep affection, every method by which
he might secure to himself the treasure of whose
value he was so keenly conscious ; and so great was
his apprehension that some of the profligate com-
panions of the king might devise a method of wiling
his wife to Court that he finally decided upon causing
two rings of curious workmanship to be made, pre-
cisely similar, and on the eve of his departure he
placed one of them upon her finger, which he
enjoined her carefully to examine, and on no account
to follow him to Amboise, even should he write and
direct her to do so, unless the letter contained
another precisely similar. The young countess,
overwhelmed by grief at his departure, totally un-
acquainted with the Court, and desirous of no
230 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
greater splendour than that by which she was
already surrounded, at once promised obedience ;
and M. de Chateaubriand, saddened by her tearful
caresses, and satisfied that he had made "assurance
doubly sure," at length tore himself from her en-
circling arms, and, leaving her to preside over his
stately and gloomy castle, proceeded on his ill-
omened journey.
Unfortunately for the count his heart was too full
to be subservient to his reason, and as he saw the
distance increase between himself and the beautiful
young creature who had so lately wept upon his
bosom, his caution gave way before his jealousy,
and he entrusted his secret to an old servant, of
whose fidelity he believed himself secure. On his
arrival at Amboise he was courteously received by
the king, who greeted him with half-jesting and half-
ironical reproaches that he had come alone to a
Court where grace and beauty were estimated at
their full value, an address to which he gravely
replied by assuring the disappointed monarch that
the countess had remained in Brittany at her own
request, volunteering, moreover, to prove the fact
of his assertion by writing in the royal presence,
should his majesty desire him to do so, an urgent
invitation for her to join him. Francis accepted the
offer, which necessarily produced no effect ; and
again and again the experiment was renewed at his
request, but always with the same result, until the
faithless varlet, to whom the count had confided his
cherished secret, won over by the gold of M. de
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 231
Guise (who at once conjectured that there was a
mystery attached to the unnatural persistence of the
lady), and his lavish promises of the king's favour
and protection to the delinquent, betrayed the trust
which had been reposed in him, and told the whole
story of the mystic ring.
The result of such a discovery may be conjec-
tured. The lacquey was easily bribed to possess
himself of the important talisman, which was placed
in the hands of an able craftsman, who in a very
short time manufactured a third precisely similar to
the duplicate provided by the count. The stolen
trinket was then carefully replaced in its usual
receptacle, and the counterfeit introduced into a new
letter which the duped husband was induced to write,
and which, in affectionate and urgent terms, invited
the young and innocent recluse to repair without
further delay to the Court, of which she was consti-
tuted to form so bright an ornament.
On the receipt of the important jewel the countess
did not hesitate to obey the summons ; nor can it be
doubted that she did so with alacrity. Buried in an
old castle, with no other society than that of her
confessor and her maids, and with no occupation
save what she derived from her breviary and her
tapestry-work, separated for the first time from a
husband to whom she was fondly attached, and not
without some of those vague yearnings after novelty
so natural to her age and sex, it can scarcely be
matter of surprise that her leave-taking of the
sombre residence which she had so long occupied
232 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
was rendered as brief as possible, and that she was
soon upon her road to that Court whence she had
been hitherto shut out.
At this period the royal circle had removed to
Chambord, a locality to which Francis was greatly
attached. The chateau, standing about four leagues
from Blois, on the vast plain of Sologne, and be-
tween the extensive forests of Boulogne and Bussy,
had originally been a mere country house of the
Counts of Blois, and was, even at the time of which
we write, rather a hunting rendezvous than an actual
residence. Situated in the near neighbourhood of
the Castle of Romorantin, so long the abode ot
Louise de Savoie, it had been the scene of many of
the boyish sports of the young king, and was, to
him, full of agreeable associations, for it was there
that he had enjoyed the pleasures of the chase
during the banishment of his mother from the
Court, and he still retained his partiality for the
old spot endeared to him by so many delightful
recollections.
It was to Chambord, therefore, that Fran9oise de
Foix hastened on the receipt of the treacherous
trinket, never doubting for an instant that in so
doing she was implicitly obeying the will of her
husband ; and this very fact was only another link
in the luckless chain of the count's misfortunes ; as,
had the Court been assembled either in Paris or at
Amboise, the arrival of the countess might have
passed unobserved, and time have been thus afforded
for an explanation which would have enabled him
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 233
to effect her instant return to Brittany ; but the
comparative solitude of Chambord rendered every
new event of importance a matter of momentary
amusement ; and, consequently, the fair traveller no
sooner reached the chateau, attended by her escort,
than the news of her advent became universally
known ; and the astonished and mortified husband
found himself utterly unable to avert the evil against
which he had believed himself to be so securely
guarded.
Cold and constrained, however, was the welcome
with which he greeted his beautiful young wife ; and
they had no sooner retired to his apartments than
he upbraided her bitterly for her want of good faith.
The countess, bewildered in her turn by such a re-
ception, sank into a chair, overcome by terror and
distress, and, extending her hand to her irritated
husband, displayed upon one of her slender fingers
the two rings by which he had himself desired that
she should govern her conduct. More and more
astonished, the count flew to the casket in which his
treasure had been concealed, and there, in its velvet
envelope, still lay the ring in which he had confided
for safety.
" Are you now convinced, Jean ?" asked the weep-
ing countess, who had anxiously watched his move-
ments.
" I am, madame," was the stern reply ; " and I have
learnt that to your other accomplishments you add
that of a duplicity and talent for intrigue of which I
had assuredly never suspected you to be possessed.
234 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
Henceforward we shall better comprehend each
other."
" Count ! " exclaimed the agonized wife, wringing
her hands, " explain to me what you mean. Have I
done wrong in coming here ? Did you not yourself
summon me ? Have I not remained contentedly in
Brittany until the ring reached me, which was to
assure me that I acted in obedience to your wishes
by rejoining you?- Speak! In what have I failed
in my duty as a wife ?"
" The question is now needless, madame,' : was the
rejoinder; "and a few weeks hence you will, in all
probability, no longer have the courage to ask it ;"
and he turned to leave the room.
" Nay, Jean, you shall not leave me in anger,"
cried Fran9oise, springing from her seat, and grasp-
ing his arm ; "only let me understand my fault, and
repair it."
" It is too late," said the count moodily ; " the evil
is now, as you must have foreseen, totally irrepar-
able. I never sent that ring, as you well know ; I
have been deceived in you ; but from this hour I
shall be enabled to estimate your affection at its
proper value."
" You never sent that ring?" echoed the young
countess, upon whom the remainder of his words
had been lost ; "whence came it, then ?" And she
looked earnestly upon the hand which bore it.
"Nay, nay; this is idle, madame," replied the
count with a bitter laugh. " From whom could it
have come save from him who, through your cour-
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 235
teous and indulgent agency, was enabled to have it
made ? But let us bandy words no longer. You
have taken your destiny into your own hands. You
are now at Court, and have duties to perform with
which even your husband will have no right to in-
terfere. Dry your eyes, therefore, for within an
hour you must wait upon the queen, and you have
little time to spare. I will order your women to
attend you." And, shaking off her grasp, he strode
coldly from the apartment. 1
But even yet the young and pure mind of
Franchise de Foix was unable to fathom the mean-
ing of her husband. She only felt that he was
changed ; how changed ! She only comprehended
that he had ceased to love her, for she could not
estimate the force of that engrossing and jealous
affection which thus played the traitor to its own
interests, and converted an attached husband into
an ungenerous tyrant. But she had, as he had just
declared, few moments to spare to such reflections.
The queen held a reception-circle that very even-
1 "The story told by Brantome of a stratagem employed by
Francis to bring this lady to his Court, despite the desire of her
husband to prevent it namely, by having a facsimile made and for-
warded to her of a ring which the count had arranged to send to his
wife should he wish her to join him is no more worthy of credit
than many other gossiping tales related by the famous chroniqueur
scandalcux. He was not born until 1 540, therefore he personally
knew nothing of the reign of Francis I., and very little of that of
Henry II. His grandfather was page to Anne of Brittany, and from
him and his father the Court scandal was obtained which Brantome
gives, adding thereto the suggestions of his own depraved fancy.
Some incidental remarks in the 'State Papers ' of 1 532 quite dis-
prove the sequel also to Brantome's story." Lady Jackson's Court
of France in the Sixteenth Century, vol. i. pp. 90, 91.
236 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
ing, at which it was necessary that she should be
presented; and accordingly, with a sick and trembling
heart, she resigned herself to the hands of her
women, and when at length the count reappeared
in order to conduct her to the queen's apartments,
he shuddered as his eye fell upon her, radiant in
youth and beauty and sparkling with jewels.
The opposition which had been offered to his
wishes had, as a natural consequence, only height-
ened the curiosity of the young monarch ; and, ac-
cordingly, the countess had no sooner paid her
respects to the queen than, waving back the
courtiers by whom he was immediately surrounded,
he advanced a step forward, and with a courteous
smile awaited her approach.
" Nay, nay," he said graciously, as she would have
bent her knee before him, "it is not for the fair
Comtesse de Chateaubriand to kneel even to a
king. You are welcome, madame, even although
your advent has been a somewhat tardy one."
" Sire," commenced the lady with a burning blush.
" We know all, madame," interposed Francis with
a gay laugh, through which pierced a triumph he
was unable altogether to conceal ; " you are a votary
of solitude, a lover of silent streams and hoary
mountains ; but, believe me, these are not the only
objects for bright eyes to dwell upon. We must
make a convert of you, madame, or it will be said
that our Court has lost its charm. M. de Chateau-
briand," -and his lip curled for an instant as he
addressed the count, whose moody brow sufficiently
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 237
betrayed his secret annoyance, and formed a singu-
lar contrast to the curious and supercilious looks
which were turned upon him, " we depend on you
to inspire your charming wife with less gloomy
tastes : you have already done this most loyally by
letter, and must now complete your work. Once
more, madame, you are welcome. In a few days
your fitting post at Court shall be assigned to you.
And now, gentlemen, to our games." And without
awaiting the acknowledgment of the count he turned
upon his heel, and approached a table covered with
dice and playing-cards, which had been originally
introduced into France in the reign of Charles VI.
by the beautiful and devoted Odette de Champ-
divers, for the amusement of that monarch during
his paroxysms of insanity.
In a few moments all the nobles of the Court
circle were absorbed by the chances of the different
games in which they were engaged, save only M. de
Chateaubriand, who stationed himself behind the
chair of the queen, while his wife, at her desire,
seated herself on a cushion at her feet. The gentle
Claude, accustomed to the triumphant demeanour
and coquettish bearing of those beauties whom
Francis, on their first presentation, had honoured
by his particular notice, and totally unaware of the
unworthy intrigue by which the young countess had
been allured to the Court, found herself singularly
attracted by the timid and lovely woman from whose
cheek the blush had not yet faded ; and, as if to
complete the discomfiture of the count, added her
238 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
own courteous reproaches to those of her royal
husband.
" But you have a child," she said, suddenly check-
ing herself with a fond smile of maternal love, " and
I can understand your reluctance. We must en-
deavour to compensate you for such a sacrifice."
For a moment the brow of the count cleared.
His wife might yet be saved if attached to the circle
of the pure-minded queen ! But again he glanced
at her, as her beaming eyes were raised in grati-
tude to her royal mistress, and he felt the utter
futility of such a hope ; for the conviction fell cold
upon his heart that amid all the galaxy of beauty
by which he was surrounded he must look in vain
for loveliness like hers.
Nor was Francis, who, from the first moment of
his meeting with the young countess, was, or be-
lieved himself to be, deeply enamoured of her
personal charms, and attracted by her graceful
timidity, much more at ease than the count himself.
Unaccustomed to opposition, and habituated, when
it chanced to present itself, to overrule it by such
extreme measures as tended to prove that neither
his chivalry towards the weaker sex nor his grati-
tude towards the most zealous of his subjects could
turn him from his purpose, he was well aware that
M. de Chateaubriand was likely to prove less plastic
in his hands than most of those yielding husbands
with whom he had hitherto been brought into con-
tact ; while, conscious that the countess herself was
as yet wholly unaware of the deception to which
- 1 7 FRANCIS THE FIRST 239
she had fallen a victim, and detecting in her proud
although simple bearing a sense of personal dignity
which could not fail to delay, even should it not
eventually altogether thwart his projects, he was,
for the first time, almost at a loss how to proceed ;
and it is extremely probable that had not the count,
blinded by his ungenerous suspicions, himself alien-
ated the affections of his young wife, Fran9oise de
Foix might have escaped the snare which had been
laid for her. As it was, however, the occasional
privacy of M. and Madame de Chateaubriand was
embittered by tears and reproaches ; and as every
fresh courtesy of Francis towards his wife furnished
the count with a new subject of invective and
violence, it was not long ere the unhappy countess
began to sigh for the hour which would summon
her to the circle of the king, and thus release her
from anger and contempt. .
On the return of the Court to Amboise, Madame
de Chateaubriand was welcomed with especial cour-
tesy by Louise de Savoie, who had already ascer-
tained the feelings of her son towards the young
and brilliant stranger, whose eyes were even thus
early learning to forget the use of tears, and whose
cheek flushed, perhaps, but no longer burnt, under
the gaze of the king. The heart soon loses its
bloom beneath the language of flattery ; Frangoise
had a sovereign at her feet ; the atmosphere of a
licentious Court was around her, and evil advisers
at her side ; while a deeply-rooted terror of the re-
sentment of a husband whom she had unwittingly
240 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, ix
offended, unhappily combined with these to dazzle,
bewilder, and subdue her. She still trembled, but
she did not turn away from the abyss which yawned
before her eyes. Suspected by the man on whom
she had lavished all the affection of her girlhood,
and separated from her infant, whose purity might
have enfolded her as with the wings of an angel,
and saved her from herself, she sickened at her
utter helplessness ; and at length forgetting all, save
her own vacuity of heart, and dreading lest in some
moment of exasperation her husband should brave
the anger of the king, and immure her once more in
his ancestral castle, with himself as her sole com-
panion, she yielded to the dishonour which had been
prepared for her, and added another to the list of
those victims whom the licentiousness of Francis
had already sacrificed to his selfishness.
Madame de Chateaubriand, however, fallen as
she was, still shrank from the publicity of vice in
which some of her predecessors had discovered the
proudest result of the king's attachment, and for a
time the unfortunate liaison, was carefully concealed,
although this could not be so skilfully accomplished
as to deceive the anxious and watchful husband, or
the experienced Louise de Savoie, who, discerning
nothing more dangerous in the countess than her
beauty, and satisfied that she had little to apprehend
from her ambition, affected not to remark the de-
votion of the king, and continued to lavish upon
the new favourite all the graceful courtesies which
could encourage her in her precarious and sinful career.
1515-17 FRANCIS THE FIRST 241
Far otherwise was it, however, with the injured
count, who no sooner ascertained that his dishonour
was accomplished than he instantly withdrew from
the theatre of his disgrace, and retired to that peace-
ful home in Britanny which the absence of his wife's
affection had rendered a desert. He vouchsafed
neither expostulation nor reproach ; the past, as he
bitterly remembered, could never be recalled. His
child was motherless, and she was now his only
earthly link ; he had done with the world, and the
world with him. Others who had been subjected to
the like indignity might haunt the saloons of royalty,
and sweep the earth with their plumed hats before
the spoiler of their homes; M. de Chateaubriand
was not of these ; he could suffer, but he could not
stoop to kiss the hand that smote him ; and thus,
without a word, without a sign, he departed from
the Court, and his existence was ere long forgotten.
VOL. i 1 6
CHAPTER X
Francis forms projects for the embellishment of his kingdom and the encour-
agement of literature Birth of a dauphin Francis invites Leo X. to
become sponsor to the young prince The royal christening Resigna-
tion of Queen Claude Marriage of Lorenzo de' Medici and Madelaine
de la Tour-d'Auvergne Munificence of the Pope A fancy ball in the
sixteenth century The bridal banquet Increasing influence of Madame
de Chateaubriand Louise de Savoie becomes jealous of her power over
the king Forbearance of the queen The countess pushes the fortunes
of her brothers The hunting-party Lautrec appointed governor of the
Milanese The recall of Bourbon Indignation of the duchess-mother
Bourbon arrives at Court Love visions Jealousy of Francis The
Chancellor endeavours to effect the recognition of the Concordat Per-
plexity of the king Magisterial corruption Pertinacity of Francis
Dismissal of the delegates Registration of the Concordat Demonstra-
tion of the university Unpopularity of the king.
FRANCIS having at this period repaired, in so far as
it was possible, the error of which his predecessor
had been guilty, by conciliating the Swiss, and be-
lieving himself to be at once free from any imme-
diate risk of foreign aggression and secure of the
Milanese, in whose conquest he had consumed alike
the revenues of the state and the first years of his
reign, began to turn his attention to the embellish-
ment of his kingdom and the interests of literature.
Himself, as we have already shown, but a super-
ficial scholar, he was nevertheless fully aware of
the importance of introducing and encouraging a
1517-18 COURT AND RETGN OF FRANCIS I 243
taste for polite learning among his subjects ; and
although his mind, when not engrossed by his pas-
sion for Madame de Chateaubriand, which soon
ceased to be a secret to the Court, was occasionally
disturbed by doubts of the acceptance of the Con-
cordat, he amused himself in forming splendid pro-
jects, both as regarded the public edifices and the
establishment of a great national college.
For a brief period he was, however, diverted
from this new and worthy ambition by the birth of
a dauphin, an event which was hailed alike by the
young king and his subjects with enthusiastic de-
light. The infant prince was born at Amboise on
the 28th of February 1517, and he had scarcely
seen the light before Francis despatched M. de
Saint -Mesme, a nobleman of his household, to
Rome, at once formally to communicate this intel-
ligence to the sovereign pontiff, and privately to
invite him to become sponsor to the royal infant,
and thus consolidate the friendly alliance which
existed between them. 1 The envoy was most gra-
ciously received, nor did the Pope attempt to con-
ceal the satisfaction which he experienced from the
proposition ; and after having sumptuously enter-
tained M. de Saint- Mesme during several days,
while the baptismal presents were in preparation,
he finally dismissed him with great honour, and he
left the Holy City accompanied by Lorenzo de'
1 Bacon, in his Life and Times of Francis /., attributes the over-
ture to Leo X. ; but as the Memoirs of Fleuranges and Du Bellay
alike assert it to have been the act of the French king, I have deemed
it expedient to follow their authority.
244 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
Medici, the nephew of the pontiff, who was ap-
pointed to officiate as his proxy, and the Florentine
ambassadors.
On the arrival of the illustrious party at Amboise,
they were met beyond the gates of the city by all
the princes of the blood and great nobles of the
Court, by whom they were conducted to the king.
The other sponsors selected by Francis to assist
at the august ceremony were the Due de Lorraine
and Madame de Bourbon, 1 and there was a smile
upon every lip save that of the meek mother of the
new idol, who at length found her last hope of re-
gaining the affections of her volatile husband ex-
tinguished for ever. She had trusted with all a
woman's confidence that the birth of a son would
restore him to her, but in the very tone of his
address, as he coldly thanked her for the present
which she had made to France, she read all her
lone and loveless future ; and as her pale cheek
fell back upon the pillow, she closed her heavy eye-
lids to conceal the tears which would not be sup-
pressed, and humbled herself in prayer.
None, however, save her immediate attendants,
were conscious amid the general joy that there was
a bleeding heart beneath the proud roof of the palace
of Amboise. Princes and nobles feasted at the table
of the king ; the silvery sound of women's laughter
echoed through the vast apartments ; the guards
1 The Loyal Servant states the godmother of the royal infant to
have been the Duchesse d'Alen9on ; but it is to be presumed that
the authority of Fleuranges, who assisted at the ceremony, is the
more correct of the two.
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 245
were merry at their posts and the varlets at their
toil. France at length boasted a dauphin, and every
other consideration was swallowed up in that one
joyous conviction.
The ceremony of baptism was invested with all
the splendour of which it was susceptible. Plumed
hats and jewelled vests were mingled with brocades
and laces ; the fairest and noblest of France were
grouped with distinguished individuals of other
nations, among whom one of the most remarkable
was the Prince of Orange, who arrived, attended
by a magnificent retinue, to offer his congratulations
to the king, but was so coldly received as to retire
in disgust and to volunteer his services to Charles
o
V., by whom they were eagerly and courteously
accepted. The altar of the palace -chapel blazed
with precious stones, and its aisles were heavy with
the fumes of frankincense ; gorgeously attired pre-
lates lined the sanctuary, and majestic women filled
the galleries of the tribune ; harmonious voices
pealed out the hymn of praise ; and the infant
prince, shrouded in ermine and velvet, received the
name of Francis from the courtly lips of Lorenzo
de' Medici. The service once concluded, the bril-
liant crowd swept onward from the chapel towards
the great courtyard, which had been entirely en-
closed both above and around with party-coloured
draperies, in order to protect the guests from the
weather during the banquet, the grand saloon of
the palace having been found inadequate to afford
accommodation to so numerous an assemblage.
246 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
After the repast, which was prolonged until a late
hour, this magnificent temporary hall was illumi-
nated by torches, and dancing, lotteries, and dice
occupied the remainder of the night.
Nor were the baptismal festivities confined to
Amboise, for throughout the whole realm of France
the people vied with each other in testifying their
joy at the birth of a dauphin. The streets of Paris
were filled with revellers, who were entertained at
the expense of the authorities ; and at Orleans two
temporary fountains were erected in front of the
Hotel de Ville, which poured forth white and red
wine from sunrise to sunset. The glad shouting
of the populace responded to the pealing of the
cannon from the fortresses, and for several days all
business was suspended.
Accustomed as he had been to the pontifical
splendour of his uncle's Court, Lorenzo de' Medici
was dazzled by the magnificence of all around him.
The chivalric courtesies of the king, the gracious
smiles of the regent, 1 the lavish profusion of the
great nobles, and the extreme beauty of the fair
women who thronged the palace, so far exceeded
all his previous experience that he at once became
reconciled to the will of his uncle, by whom he had
been charged to propose a treaty of marriage be-
tween himself and Madelaine de la Tour-d'Auvergne,
the younger daughter of the Comte de Boulogne
and Auvergne, whose sister had married the Due
1 Madame d'Angouleme was commonly so called after her tempo-
rary regency.
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 247
d'Aubigny. This lady, who was young and ex-
tremely beautiful, was connected with the royal
family through her mother, who had been a princess
of Bourbon, 1 and it was not without considerable
disappointment that some of the wealthiest nobles
in the kingdom saw her hand bestowed upon a
foreigner.
Francis, however, effected a sagacious stroke of
policy by the concession, as he required in return a
pledge from Lorenzo that both he and all his family
should bind themselves to uphold the interests of
France, with which this marriage would tend so
closely to unite them. The Florentine at once
acceded to this arrangement ; but, enamoured as he
was of the fair girl who was about to become his
wife, he was still wary enough to stipulate in return
that the French king should withdraw his protection
from the Duke of Urbino, whose ally he then was,
and offer no impediment to his own attempt to
possess himself of the duchy. To this proposition
Francis, after some demur, in his turn consented,
and preparations were forthwith commenced for
the celebration of this ill-omened marriage, which
was fated to exert so mighty an influence on the
destinies of France by giving birth to Catherine
de' Medici.
Once more the halls of Amboise were loud with
festivity and radiant with splendour ; and, on the
1 Madelaine de la Tour-d'Auvergne was the daughter and co-
heiress of Jean, Comte de Boulogne, and Joanna, the daughter of
Jean, Due de Vendome.
248 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
return of the bridal party from the chapel, Francis
invested the bridegroom with the Cross of St.
Michael, having previously presented him with an
annual revenue of ten thousand crowns, and lavished
upon the bride presents of the most costly descrip-
tion.
In this munificence he was, however, even ex-
ceeded by the Pope, who, in the height of his self-
gratulation at the new aggrandisement of his family,
despatched both to the Queen of France and to the
bride gifts of so costly a nature as to excite universal
astonishment, among which (probably the most re-
markable at the period) was a state-bed, inlaid with
mother-of-pearl, tortoise-shell, and ivory ; while so
great was his profusion that thirty-six horses were
required to convey all these treasures to the capital.
The most novel feature of the Court festival at
this marriage was the introduction of distinct char-
acter dances, executed entirely by the youngest and
most beautiful women of the royal circle, who,
divided into parties of twelve, each assumed some
national costume, of which the illusion was further
heightened by the accompaniment of corresponding
instruments. As the number of these courtly cory-
phtes amounted to seventy, the whole of the morning
was consumed in witnessing their performances ;
after which the king conducted the bride to the
banqueting table, followed by her new-made hus-
band leading Madame d'Angouleme, and having in
their suite all the princes of the blood, foreign am-
bassadors, and nobles, each according to his order
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 249
of precedence. As the last of the guests passed the
threshold the trumpets sounded, and the king, ad-
vancing to the upper end of the hall, placed his
mother upon his right hand, and then, raising his
feathered hat for an instant, motioned to the courtly
party to take their seats. With the exception of the
Duchesse d'Angouleme and the bride, no lady had a
place at the royal table ; Madame de Chateaubriand
herself, upon this stringent occasion of Court eti-
quette, being compelled to forego her ordinary privi-
lege. As the several courses were removed the
trumpets again pealed out, and, during the intervals,
the royal musicians kept up an uninterrupted stream
of harmony. At the close of the banquet dancing
was resumed, and continued until an hour past mid-
night, amid a blaze of flambeaux and torches which
rivalled the light of day.
On the morrow the festivities were resumed, and
jousts, skirmishes, sham fights, sieges, and other
manly sports were varied by balls, mysteries, hunt-
ing-parties, and such pastimes as might be shared
by the young beauties of the Court, during several
weeks ; after which the king took leave of the newly-
married pair, who departed for Italy accompanied
by the Due d'Aubigny, the brother-in-law of the
bride, whom he had appointed his ambassador to
the Pope, and who, in that capacity, acquitted him-
self so admirably as to ensure the lasting alliance of
the Medici with France.
Never again, however, was the unfortunate Made-
laine de la Tour-d'Auvergne destined to visit her
250 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
beloved country, to whose interests she had been a
passive although a reluctant victim. In little more
than a year she had become the mother of Catherine
de' Medici, and was in her grave, whither she was
followed in the short space of five days by her hus-
band, both having fallen martyrs to a contagious dis-
ease in April 1519.
As the Court slowly subsided into tranquillity,
after the almost delirious dissipation in which it had
been immersed, the increasing influence of Madame
de Chateaubriand became more and more apparent.
She assumed no personal consequence, it is true ;
but, urged on by her family, she evinced the most
anxious desire to enrich her three brothers ; and, in
order to accomplish this project, began to interfere
in the affairs of state with a pertinacity which aroused
all the jealousy of Louise de Savoie, who had been
so long accustomed to mould her son to her will
that she could ill brook the rivalry of power
which was thus forced upon her. Nor was it long
ere she became painfully aware that the contest was
altogether unequal, and that the indulgence with
which she had, from his very boyhood, encouraged
the passions of her son was destined to prove her
own punishment. Hitherto she had been all in all
to him ; for the patient and neglected queen had put
forth no claim to popularity, and had shrunk alike
from every cabal which had been formed about her,
devoting herself entirely to her children, of two of
whom she was so soon to be bereaved, and to those
works of charity and acts of devotion by which she
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 251
hoped one day to purchase the affections of her hus-
band. The previous intrigues of the young king
had been merely the result of a passing fancy, and,
as such, incapable of weakening the influence of his
mother ; and even in her first judgment of Fran9oise
de Foix the sagacious duchess had not deceived her-
self ; but she had committed the grievous and irre-
parable error of forgetting that, little as the young
countess might seek or estimate self-aggrandisement,
there were those about her who, unlike her high-
hearted husband, would not disdain to make her dis-
honour the pedestal of their own fortunes ; and this
was precisely that which came to pass.
It has been already stated that, noble as they
were by birth, the family of Franchise de Foix were
by no means wealthy ; and it was consequently
inevitable that, having once accustomed themselves
to look upon the dishonour of their sister with indif-
ference, her three brothers, Messieurs de Lautrec,
De Lascun, and De Lespare, should regard her as
the destined architect of their fortunes, and thus
involve her in intrigues and cabals for which she
was totally unfitted by nature. The first glaring
instance of her unbounded influence over her royal
lover was exhibited in the recall of the Connetable
de Bourbon from Milan, where he had remained
since its conquest as the lieutenant-general of the
king, and the substitution of the Marechal de Lau-
trec, whose ambition could be satisfied only by the
highest and most honourable charge in the army.
It was during a hunting-party in the forest of
252 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
Bussy, when, fatigued and heated with the chase,
Francis reigned up his panting horse beside the
palfrey of the young countess, and, with one hand
caressing its silken mane, received with a fond
smile her whispered compliments upon his prowess,
that this great and eventful change was fated to be
arranged. Long as she had meditated upon it, and
anxious as she had become to ensure its success, a
certain timidity had hitherto restrained her from
entering formally upon the subject ; but on this
occasion a single question from the enamoured
monarch liberated her at once from her difficulty.
They were alone, and secure for a time from all
interruption, the hunt having led the whole of the
royal suite to another and a distant quarter of the
forest ; the sunlight fell in living mosaics upon the
mossy turf, when the quivering leaves afforded it a
momentary passage ; and the low sweet wind, as it
wandered past, swept the long ringlets of the countess
almost to the cheek of her companion as he leant
towards her.
" On the faith of a gentleman ! ni exclaimed Fran-
cis, " you have followed the hunt bravely to-day, and
have shamed many a cavalier, who will nevertheless
1 Foy de Gentil-Homme was the habitual oath of Francis I., and,
indeed, the only one which he permitted to pass his lips. Brantome
informs us that the three preceding kings of France had likewise
each his favourite ejaculation ; and that a quatrain was written in
commemoration, thus :
" Quand la ' Pasque Dieu,' ddceda .... Louys XI.
' Par le Jour-Dieu,' luy succeda Charles VIII.
' Le Diable m'emporte,' s'en tint pres . Louys XII.
' Foy de Gentil-Homme,' vint apres . . Frangois I."
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 253
vaunt of his prowess at the banquet erewhile. But
where were your thoughts, ma mie ? I could not
watch them as I did your bright eyes and your slen-
der figure." And he looked tenderly in her face, as
though he already anticipated the flattering answer.
" I need surely not inform your majesty that they
were, as ever, fixed upon yourself ; but, alas ! not
with undivided happiness," said the lady.
"And why so?" demanded the king abruptly;
"these are strange words from the lips of Fran9oise
de Foix."
" They are, Sire ; but they are at least truthful.
Are you not all the world to me ? And can I reflect
upon any possible injury to your august name with-
out dismay ? "
" You speak in enigmas, madame ; I scarcely
know you in this new character. Explain your
meaning, and let us once more understand each
other."
" My duty is obedience," said the beautiful
countess, as she suffered her large lustrous eyes
to rest for a moment upon the hand which was still
plunged amid the mane of her palfrey, and then
raised them timidly and tearfully to the face of the
king; "with your image was blended that of the
Connetable de Bourbon."
" Ha! our good cousin Charles de Montpensier,"
smiled Francis; "and what of him, fair dame ? "
" Simply, Sire, that your royal favour has rendered
him too arrogant for the subject of such a master ;
and that I have certain advices from Milan which
254 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
lead me to suspect his loyalty. Already the most
wealthy and powerful noble of France, he has
nothing to anticipate at home, and his ambition is
no secret."
Francis started, and sat erect in his saddle.
" The duchy of Milan," pursued the countess,
"would be a tempting exchange for the sword of
connetable ; and M. de Bourbon has already secured
the hearts of his viceregal subjects."
" Ha, indeed !" exclaimed her listener vehemently,
"is it so? In good truth this must be looked to.
But in whom can we trust if Charles de Montpen-
sier, whom we have raised to the highest dignity in
the realm, turn traitor to our interests."
" One for whom your majesty has done less," said
Fran9oise steadily ; " one who still remembers at
whose hands he holds his favour, and who has
already afforded proof both of his loyalty and his
devotion."
"True," replied the king thoughtfully, and with a
moody brow; "doubtless there are many such in
our good kingdom of France, but the choice will be
no easy one. Besides, Marguerite loves Bourbon
like a brother, and will reproach me should I offer
him an affront."
" The loss of the Milanese would be an affront to
your majesty which no reproach could reach," re-
torted the favourite.
" On the faith of a gentleman you are right,
madame ! " almost shouted Francis, who was stung
to the very core by the bare supposition of such an
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 255
indignity. " The connetable shall be recalled. And
now, since you have become a counsellor, and
plunged into the stormy sea of state affairs, you
must complete your work, and help me to select his
successor."
" Your majesty has not forgotten Ravenna ? "
asked the countess with her most sunny smile.
The eye of the young king brightened. " Ha ! I
read the meaning of that fair plotting face. No, ma
mie, I have forgotten neither Ravenna nor the bril-
liant services of your brother ; but you should also
remember that he is already Marechal de France."
"The Due de Bourbon is connetable," said the
countess boldly ; " and, like Lautrec, owes his dig-
nity to your majesty."
" Why ! you have suddenly become as uncompro-
mising as Duprat himself! " laughed Francis, as he
touched her cheek lightly with his fringed glove.
" Enough, however, for the present ; this shall be
considered."
"You will not consult the duchess, Sire ? " asked
Fran9oise anxiously.
"Not if you forbid it ; but here come the hunt,
with De Guise and Fleuranges in the van. Ha ! on
the faith of a gentleman, they have lost their quarry!"
"And I my cause, Sire, the first which I have
ever undertaken. Pardon me, I overrated my influ-
ence with your majesty." And the spoilt beauty
burst into tears, half of mortification and half of dis-
appointment.
" Fran9oise ! " exclaimed the young king, hur-
256 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
riedly extending his hand, which she clasped in her
slender fingers ; "dear Frangoise, dry your eyes, or
you will unman me. Your cause is won. Lautrec
shall have the Milanese."
The countess had no time for thanks. In another
instant all the sportsmen were grouped about the
king, the plumes of their hats mingling with the
manes of their horses, as they were respectfully
withdrawn ; the details of the unsuccessful hunt
were rapidly given, and then, with tightened reins,
the whole noble party galloped back to Chambord.
Francis redeemed his pledge. The connetable
was recalled, and the Marechal de Lautrec formally
invested with the government of the Milanese, to
the great disgust of Bourbon, who received with
undisguised coldness the assurances of the king that
he could not longer forego the gratification of his
presence in France. In how far the arguments of
Madame de Chateaubriand had wronged this
haughty noble cannot be ascertained, although,
from the almost regal state which he affected while
at Milan, and the facility with which he afterwards
transferred his services to a hostile sovereign, it
appears probable that his loyalty might have failed
before his ambition had he once felt himself assured
of success in seizing the sovereignty of the duchy ;
an inference which is, moreover, strengthened by
his resolute and undisguised hostility to Leo X., the
ally of his own monarch. Suffice it, however, that
whatever might have been his ulterior projects, they
were now overthrown for ever ; and he found him-
IF
S,
tLtsf&J''
2 R TITIAN - ? Y VOR^TF
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 257
self compelled to exchange his quasi-royalty for a
less exalted station.
Meanwhile, the indignation of Madame d'Angou-
leme exceeded all bounds when she discovered that
so important a measure had been effected without
her sanction ; and as the identity of the new viceroy
sufficiently explained by whose influence his eleva-
tion had been accomplished, her hatred towards the
favourite became more apparent. It was not, how-
ever, for the compulsory return of the connetable
that Louise de Savoie felt exasperated against the
countess, but simply because the event demonstrated
the immense power which she had obtained over the
mind of Francis, and the assurance that thencefor-
ward she must content herself with sharing the
supremacy which had once been entirely her own.
The arrival of Charles de Bourbon at the Court was,
on the contrary, a source of satisfaction ; for, as we
have already hinted, she had suffered herself to
conceive a passion for that prince to which, despite
the maturity of her age, she still trusted that he would
not ultimately prove insensible. She was ignorant
of his attachment to her daughter, and conscious
that she was still one of the handsomest women in
France, as well as the mother of the sovereign, she
pleased herself with the belief that opportunity alone
was wanting to bring him to her feet.
Strange, however, are the mysteries of the human
heart. Never for an instant had Bourbon forgotten
Marguerite ; he still worshipped her as his first love;
and when he crossed the frontier her image rose as
VOL. i 17
258 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
freshly before him as on the day when her murmured
farewell had fallen upon his ear like music in the
saloon of Amboise ; yet, nevertheless, he no sooner
encountered the smile of the Comtesse de Chateau-
briand, his active enemy, against whom he had
vowed an undying enmity, than he became her slave.
Franchise, whose heart had, as a natural conse-
quence, became vitiated by a career of avowed pro-
fligacy, did not view with indifference the effect
produced by her beauty ; and the prejudices and
.suspicions of the king, already awakened against the
duke by her own representations, acquired strength
from the interest which she suddenly and unex-
pectedly took in all that concerned him. Herein,
however, Francis wronged the connetable, who,
thralled as he might be and undoubtedly was by
the charms of the young countess, was too proud to
volunteer a rivalry with the Admiral de Bonnivet,
and he had not passed eight and forty hours at Court
ere he heard the name of that noble coupled with
that of the king's favourite in a manner which
reflected no honour upon either party.
Some rumour of the same nature had also reached
the ear of Francis himself, and he had even men-
tioned the circumstance to the countess with an
asperity which might have satisfied her that she had
little indulgence to expect should he prove the truth
of the report ; but Franchise had only found food
for mirth in the accusation, and even mimicked with
such charming talent the amorous looks and gestures
of the suspected courtier that the wrath of the king
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 259
was converted into amusement. Brantome asserts
that in order the better to hoodwink her royal
paramour she did not disdain to make sport of the
credulity of the admiral in supposing that one who
was loved by Francis could for a moment be induced
to listen to his own suit, declaring that she permitted
his familiarities only because his conversation enter-
tained her, and he made her merry even when her
heart was sad ; and by these devices she turned
away the attention of the young monarch, and
directed his jealousy to a wrong quarter in order the
better to pursue her intrigue. Be this as it may, it
is certain that the distaste of Francis for the Due de
Bourbon increased daily ; while the passion of
Bonnivet for the fair favourite, which had become
sufficiently notorious to furnish matter for the gossips
of the Court, never for an instant affected his favour.
His early attachment to the Duchesse d'Alen9on
had been no secret to the king, and as he still affected
the same hopeless devotion, Francis, convinced by
the arguments of the countess, learnt to regard his
attentions to herself as the mere chivalric services of
a true knight to the most beautiful woman of his
acquaintance.
Amid all these intrigues the chancellor continued
his efforts to secure the recognition of the Concordat
by the parliament of Paris. Francis had solemnly
pledged his word to the Pope that he would compel
its observance, and was necessarily anxious to see
his promise fulfilled, not only because it involved
his good understanding with the sovereign-pontiff
260 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
himself, but because upon that understanding hinged
his tranquil possession of the duchy of Milan. The
debates upon the Pragmatic Sanction had also tended
to increase the previous difficulties under which he
laboured to a fearful extent. His personal influence
in the elections had sensibly declined ; the morals
of the clergy had degenerated, and serious abuses
had arisen in the religious houses ; the most sacred
considerations were sacrificed to party feeling ; all
such individuals as were known to be in favour of
rigid discipline were rejected, and men of more than
suspicious morals were elevated to the highest
ecclesiastical dignities. No unanimous suffrage
could be secured even for the most eligible candi-
date ; at every election there was a division of
votes ; and as no final arrangement could be effected
without rancour and vindictiveness, the one party
insisting upon their majority of voices, and the other
accusing their opponents of simony, the most dis-
graceful processes at law ensued, in which neither
exposure nor invective were spared.
Although the conditions of the Concordat had
never been officially promulgated, it had neverthe-
less created universal discontent. The magistrates,
indignant that their privileges had been invaded,
and wilfully overlooking the fact that the Church
could not exist in its primitive state in the sixteenth
century, loudly accused both their own monarch and
the Pope of having assumed to themselves a power
to which they had no pretension, and, as a natural
consequence, this bold assertion, coming from a body
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 261
of men deeply versed in ecclesiastical law, and
basing their arguments upon the maxims of the two
great Councils of Constance and Bale, produced a
strong effect upon the minor clergy and the middle
classes, who had long been accustomed to regard
the decisions of those councils as their code of action.
Nevertheless, Francis urged forward the recogni-
tion of the Concordat with the pertinacity of a
monarch who will tolerate no opposition to his will.
In the month of June it was presented for registra-
tion to the parliament of Paris, where it occasioned
the most stormy discussions, and was openly
opposed by M. de Sievre, the advocate -general,
which so enraged the king that he despatched the
Bastard of Savoy, his uncle, during one of the
sittings, to insist upon its immediate recognition and
acceptance ; instructing him, moreover, to remain
until the registration had taken place. The first
president expostulated warmly upon this innovation,
representing to M. de Savoie that he could not be
present at the deliberations of the chamber with-
out taking the oath as a member of its body, and
requested him to retire, which he was compelled
reluctantly to do, leaving his mission unaccomplished.
The parliament, in their turn, sent their president,
M. de la Haye, to remonstrate with the monarch,
alleging that as M. Rene de Savoie was not a
member of their body his interference was illegal ;
an expostulation to which Francis only replied by
the reiterated exclamation: ''He shall be there!
He shall be there ! I will no longer tolerate the
262 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
cavillers who oppose my pleasure. I can replace
them by better men who are ready to do their duty
like loyal subjects."
The delegates then ventured respectfully to
remind him of the deference with which his prede-
cessor had invariably received every remonstrance
offered by his good and faithful deputies, but they
had soon reason to repent their boldness. Francis
was at this period at Nempont, near Montreuil,
where he was engaged in strengthening the fortresses
of Picardy, and in no mood to be controlled by forms
or schooled into submission to his own subjects. He
was piqued, moreover, by the inferred distinction
between himself and the late king, and had no
sooner heard the president to an end than he ex-
claimed haughtily : " I am aware that there are men
in my parliament who are both wise and worthy, but
I know also that there are others who are auda-
cious, turbulent, and mischievous. I am not igno-
rant either of their identity or their arguments.
You expatiate to me upon the justice of Louis XII. ;
I am just also, but like him I shall know how to
compel obedience."
M. de la Haye would still have remonstrated,
but the anger of Francis, who ill brooked opposition
at any time, only became more and more violent ;
and he finally dismissed his unwelcome visitor with
a threat that he would send all who opposed his will
to Toulouse or Bordeaux.
Nevertheless, when he became more cool, he
suffered the parliament to delay the registration of
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 263
the Concordat under divers pretexts, lest by too
great a precipitation he should increase the distaste
of the nation to a law which he considered necessary
to ensure the welfare of the Church and the tran-
quillity of the kingdom. The discussions accord-
ingly continued from the I3th of July until the 24th
of the same month, in the presence of M. de Savoie ;
at the expiration of that period the whole body came
to the decision that they could not register the Con-
cordat, its provisions being at variance with the
Pragmatic Sanction, which they were compelled to
observe, declaring at the same time that in order to
enact an affair of such paramount importance it was
necessary to convene a national council.
Renewed negotiations were then opened between
the Court and the parliament, but no satisfactory
result could be obtained ; and on the 1 3th of January
1518 the counsellors, Messrs, de Soyen and Verjus,
were deputed to wait upon the king, for the pur-
pose of presenting to him a document in which they
represented that he would compromise the independ-
ence and dignity of his crown by such a submission
to the Pope, and at the same time diminish the
public revenues.
The Court was then sojourning at Amboise,
and although apprized of the arrival of the delegates
Francis gave no orders for their reception or accom-
modation, nor was it until the 24th of the month
that he condescended to receive them, when, in
reply to their communication, he coldly and haughtily
remarked that his chancellor had overruled all their
264 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x
objections in a document which he considered as per-
emptory and conclusive. The two counsellors re-
spectfully requested a copy of this important paper,
upon which the king lost his temper, and angrily
declared that he would not consent to have an inter-
minable process created out of a subject upon which
his pleasure should suffice. "It would appear," he
added sternly, " that my parliament desires to con-
stitute itself a second Venetian senate ; but I will let
them know that I am King of France, and that my
will is law. The ecclesiastics who form a portion of
your body listen to nothing save what affects their
own personal interests ; they have become coun-
sellors only the more readily to possess themselves
of bishoprics and abbeys, and to delude themselves
with the belief that under cover of certain privileges
they are no longer my subjects, and that I cannot
take their heads should such be my royal pleasure.
They are deceived, however, as some among them
may ere long discover to their cost. I will have no
more of them in my parliament ; that they were ever
admitted there at all was the act of my predecessors ;
and my power is equally great to expel them and to
establish a contrary law. The whole body has
become over arrogant, and shall in future confine
itself to the administration of justice, which is now
worse dispensed than it has been for the last hundred
years."
It was at the close of the evening banquet that
this unsatisfactory interview took place, and Francis
finally dismissed the discomfited delegates with an
1517-18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 265
order to leave Amboise by six o'clock on the follow-
ing morning, warning them that if they did not obey
he would cause them both to be flung into the castle
moat.
After an audience of this description all further
attempt at remonstrance was abandoned by the
parliament, although they still pursued their discus-
sions upon the question ; but the patience of the
king being finally exhausted, on the I2th of March
M. de la Tremouille, the grand chamberlain, pre-
sented himself to the chamber during one of its
sittings, and commanded its members, in the name
of the monarch, to proceed immediately to the regis-
tration of the contested Concordat, and to waste no
more time in deliberating upon a subject which was
already decided. As they still hesitated, some of
his followers warned them to beware of further
exasperating the anger of Francis, who had declared
that should they persist in their contumacy, not only
their own lives should be the forfeit of their dis-
loyalty, but that he would annihilate the parliament
and destroy the city. This threat proved success-
ful, and the parliament consented to withdraw its
opposition.
The fact was no sooner promulgated than the
university issued an order that solemn services
should be performed in the churches, and peni-
tential processions traverse the streets, as on occa-
sions of public calamity ; while the parliament
protested on oath that its liberties had been in-
fringed, and that it had only yielded by compulsion
266 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, x
to the will of the king. This done, the Concordat
was eventually registered on the i6th of March, in
the presence of M. de la Tremouille, with this final
clause, which was a last and useless protest against
the Act : " By the very express command of the
king several times repeated."
Nor was the opposition of the university less
strongly demonstrated ; the most popular preachers
denounced the new law from their pulpits, and the
most learned professors from their chairs. All the
printers of the capital were forbidden to put the
obnoxious document into type, and so intemperate
were some of the speeches made by members of
both bodies, and so gross the strictures passed upon
the king and his Court, that Francis at length found
himself compelled to imprison several of the most
distinguished of the orators, and to keep them in
close confinement until the popular ferment had
subsided ; passing meanwhile an edict condemnatory
of the proceedings of the whole university, whose
members were forbidden under heavy penalties
thenceforward to discuss this or any other decree
which had received the royal sanction.
Thus the Concordat became a portion of the
national law ; but although all open opposition was
necessarily at an end, it had to encounter evasions
and quibbles so artfully conceived and skilfully exe-
cuted that Francis derived little benefit from its
enforcement, while he was made painfully aware
that by his pertinacity he had sacrificed his popu-
larity and estranged the affections of his people.
CHAPTER XI
1518 .
The progress of literature Leonardo da Vinci Native talent Tact of
Francis An Italian charlatan Erasmus invited to France He refuses
to leave England Cupidity of Leo X. Martin Luther Increasing
favour of Madame de Chateaubriand Unbounded authority of Louise de
Savoie Arrogance of the French king His profusion Lautrec disgusts
the Milanese The Marechal Trivulzio Intrigues of the favourite
Trivulzio is declared a traitor He demands an audience of the king
Is refused, and dies broken-hearted The vacant bdton is conferred upon
M. de Lescun.
IT has been already stated that the early studies of
Francis I., however judiciously planned and admir-
ably conceived, had failed to render him an accom-
plished scholar, but they had nevertheless taught
him to estimate at their true value those more highly
gifted than himself, and to render him eager to
assemble about him all who were most distinguished
in literature and art throughout Europe. Accord-
ingly the Concordat was no sooner registered than
he turned his attention to this important point, and
the first celebrated man whom he invited to his
Court was Leonardo da Vinci, who had founded the
schools of Florence and Milan, and through whom
he entered into correspondence with the most
famous architects of Italy, in order to secure their
advice and assistance in the construction of the
268 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
public monuments which he was anxious to erect.
The Royal College, to which allusion has already
been made, was, however, the principal object that
occupied his mind. The encouragement afforded to
literature by Louis XII., and the services rendered
to oriental learning by the Greek savant John Las-
caris, during the same reign, had given an impetus
to native talent which had already produced most
beneficial effects in the persons of Budee, Danes, 1
Du Chatel, 2 Cop, 3 and many other distinguished
students ; while the amiable and accomplished
Etienne Poucher, 4 Bishop of Paris, Guillaume Petit,
Jacques Colin, Guillaume Pelissier, and several more
individuals of equal reputation for talent and erudi-
tion, formed a nucleus worthy of the great names
which ere long gathered about them from all the
1 Pierre Dane's was born in Paris in 1497, was appointed by
Francis I. Professor of Greek at the Royal College, and became the
tutor of many illustrious men. He was subsequently preceptor and
confessor of the Dauphin, afterwards Francis 1 1. Deputed to attend
the Council of Trent in 1546, he produced a powerful effect by his
extraordinary eloquence, and in 1557 was made Bishop of Lavaur.
He resigned his see in 1576, and died in 1577. He is believed to
have been the author of the famous treatise, De Ecclesia Ritibus,
published under the name of the president Duranti.
2 Pierre Du Chatel, or Castellanus, one of the most learned pre-
lates of the sixteenth century, was born at Arc-en-Barrois. He was
reader and librarian to Francis I., who gave him the bishopric of
Tulle in 1539, and that of Mac,on in 1544. Created great-almoner
of France in 1548, he became Bishop of Orleans in 1551, and died
the following year. He was intimately versed in the oriental lan-
guages.
3 Guillaume Cop was the most eminent physician of his time,
and the original translator of the works of Galen, Paulus ^Eginetus,
and Hippocrates.
4 Etienne Poucher had been chancellor during the reign of
Louis XII., but had voluntarily sent in his resignation. He sub-
sequently became Archbishop of Sens, and died in 1524, at the age
of seventy-eight years.
IS 1 8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 269
European nations. Gifted with extraordinary facility
and a correct taste, Francis soon supplied, or rather
concealed, his own mental deficiencies by the apti-
tude with which he appropriated the ideas of those
about him ; and as he passed every moment which
was not devoted to Madame de Chateaubriand, or
some one of her temporary rivals, in the society of
the learned men who ere long thronged his Court,
and whom he skilfully and unweariedly questioned
upon the particular subjects for which they were
especially celebrated, he succeeded in obtaining a
vague and general idea of every branch of literature,
which deluded the unlearned into a belief of his
scholarship ; while it even deceived himself suffi-
ciently to persuade him that he could acquire by this
erratic system of study all the results which had
only been attained by his interlocutors through long
and weary years of labour and application. That he
had thoroughly convinced himself of so flattering a
fact is rendered evident by the naivete with which
he on one occasion remarked, while speaking of M.
Du Chatel, "He is the only man the whole of whose
science I have not fathomed in a couple of years."
As a natural consequence, the anxiety of Francis
to attract about him all those celebrities by whose
assistance he could either illustrate his reign or
increase his own slender stock of knowledge, ex-
posed him to the artifices of many pretenders ; and
among the rest an anecdote is related by Alcyat 1 in
1 Andre Alcyat was a celebrated lawyer, born near Milan in
1492, and was invited to Bourges by Francis I., who was anxious to
270 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
one of his letters, of an Italian charlatan named Julio
Camilla, who boasted to the monarch that he could
render him a proficient both in Greek and Latin in
the short space of a single month, provided that he
would devote an hour daily to that particular study.
He, however, exacted that no third person should
be present, declaring that so important a secret must
be divulged only to crowned heads ; while the re-
muneration which he claimed in the event of suc-
cess was a yearly income of two thousand crowns.
Francis consented to these terms, and received the
impostor alone in his cabinet ; but having, before the
close of the second lesson, satisfied himself of the
audacious presumption and utter incompetency of
his master, he ordered him to leave the palace, and
never more to appear in his presence, a command
which was promptly obeyed, and the more readily
that, instead of punishing the offender, he presented
him with the sum of six hundred crowns, " to re-
mind him that he had been closeted with a king of
France."
Other deceptions of a similar nature, to which he
was occasionally exposed, did not, however, deter
Francis from pursuing his great and laudable pur-
pose. The object nearest his heart was still the
foundation of the Royal College, and by the advice
of Budee, whose modesty was as remarkable as his
learning, he resolved to confide its direction to the
raise the character of the university of that city, where he introduced
the system of combining the study of the law with that of polite
literature. He was the author of several works of considerable
talent, and died in 1550.
FRANCIS THE FIRST 271
celebrated Erasmus, who was universally recognized
as the most erudite individual of the age. After
having for a time adopted England as his country,
where he had been entrusted with the education
of the Prince of Wales, afterwards Henry VIII.,
Erasmus had made the tour of Italy, and resisted
all the efforts of Jean de' Medici, subsequently Pope
Leo X., to retain him in Florence, preferring to
return to the land of his predilection, which he de-
clared to be the most advantageous and honourable
sojourn for men of genius ; but again wearying for
change, he had ultimately taken up his abode in the
Low Countries, of which he was a native, and whither
he had been invited by the princess -regent, Mar-
guerite, who was a zealous and liberal patron of letters.
Erasmus had been recently invested by his royal
mistress with the dignity of honorary counsellor,
when Francis I. decided upon offering him the
presidentship of the Royal College through the
medium of Budee, whom his brother student was
accustomed to distinguish by the honourable appel-
lation of "the prodigy of France," and who was
authorized to accede to the terms of the learned
Hollander, even should they include a bishopric.
Dazzling as such offers were, however, Erasmus
requested time for reflection, and the negotiation
extended over the space of eighteen months ; a delay
which increased the anxiety of the king to such a
height that he ultimately declared himself ready to
subscribe to any conditions upon which Erasmus
might insist.
272 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
Nevertheless the offers of Francis were ulti-
mately definitively, although respectfully, declined,
with every becoming expression of gratitude for the
distinction which had been conferred upon him by
the gratified scholar, who, it was ascertained, had
determined, should he again leave the Low Coun-
tries, to return to England once more, where Henry
VIII. was urging him, by offers as brilliant as those
of Francis himself, to establish his permanent abode.
This disappointment, which had been utterly un-
foreseen by the French king, necessarily delayed the
organization of the college ; but more serious con-
siderations diverted his mind for a time even from
this engrossing project, and compelled him to turn
his attention to a subject of more immediate and
vital importance to the welfare of his kingdom.
The Court of Rome having triumphed over the
councils of Constance and Bale, through the submis-
sion of the parliament and university of Paris, Leo
X. hastened to profit by his advantage, and to de-
grade religion into a mere matter of financial specu-
lation. Empoverished by his love of splendour and
dissipation, and believing himself to be above all
further opposition or worldly responsibility, he had
authorized the mendicant monks of the order of St.
Dominic to disperse themselves over all the nations
of Christendom, and to remit sins for certain stipu-
lated sums, as well as to announce certain indulgences
from the pulpit, which were to be secured by the
same venal means. As a natural consequence his
instructions were not only implicitly obeyed, but so
15 1 8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 273
perverted, through the anxiety of the community to
find favour in his eyes by their success, that the
people, scandalized by such an abuse of authority,
revolted against what they justly considered as a
violation of the most sacred privileges ; and while
the parliament of Paris and the wisdom of the
Sorbonne alike continued passive, while the council
of the Lateran, having abdicated its authority, offered
no protest against enormities which struck at the
root of the religion they had been entrusted to
uphold ; and worldly prelates, sold to a corrupt and
venal court, looked on unmoved, a nobler and a
purer spirit was aroused in an obscure class of the
community, at which the proud sneered and the
powerful scoffed.
A poor monk of St. Augustin, the child of needy
parents, himself vowed to poverty and privation,
MARTIN LUTHER, already celebrated even in his com-
parative obscurity for the lucidity of his judgment,
the extraordinary energy of his mind, and the
unpretending piety of his character, scandalized at
the dishonour brought upon the religion to which
he had devoted himself by the unblushing extor-
tions of Leo X., Luther, careless of the danger
to which he was exposed by so hazardous a pro-
ceeding, first inveighed from the pulpit against the
demoralizing and mischievous tendencies of these
indiscriminate indulgences ; and then, perceiving
how little effect was produced upon the passions
of his auditors, who were all, more or less, in-
terested in securing for themselves what, despite
VOL. I 1 8
274 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
their disgust, their old associations led them to
believe were a guarantee of impunity for their mis-
deeds, he abandoned the pulpit for the desk, and
with equal rapidity and skill composed no less than
ninety-nine brief propositions, which he first read
in the church of St. Wittemberg, and afterwards
affixed to the door of the same church, inviting
discussion, and declaring himself ready to maintain
the position which he had assumed. He appealed
to the authority of the Holy Writings ; he contrasted
these with the fallible and interested testimony of
human beings ; and finally, with the eloquence of
inspired truth, he called upon the people of Chris-
tendom to release themselves from the shackles
of a superstition which degraded their most sacred
associations, prostrated their most divine hopes,
and rendered them the slaves of a deception which
they must hereafter expiate by an eternity of un-
mitigated and unmitigable repentance.
There can be no doubt that the objections thus
suddenly and boldly advanced by
|" The solitary monk who shook the world,"
had long been germinating in his mind, and were
thus abruptly called forth by the exigencies of the
moment which opened up an extraordinary oppor-
tunity for their demonstration. It is at least cer-
tain that they produced, under the force of existing
circumstances, an effect tenfold greater than they
could possibly have done at any preceding period.
The reason of all, and the consciences of many,
15 18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 275
were offended by so open and undisguised an ex-
hibition of papal profligacy; while the character,
talents, and even defects of the reforming monk
secured for him a sympathy and an attention which
gave weight and authority to his arguments. His
impetuous and uncompromising spirit disdained all
restraint, while his extraordinary and colloquial
eloquence carried conviction with it. For a time,
in all probability even himself unconscious of the
extreme lengths to which his desire to abolish
certain abuses must inevitably lead, he equally
blinded his disciples to the fact that he was rapidly
and surely undermining the foundations of that
faith of which he had hitherto professed himself
the humble follower; but, as in an ill -constructed
edifice the removal of one prop loosens the tenure
of the whole building, so did the energetic denuncia-
tions and objections of Luther, fed by the opposi-
tion which he experienced, shake the entire fabric
of Romanism to its very base ; and as his capacious
mind grasped the whole system of papal supremacy,
he each hour discovered fresh reasons for a seces-
sion which changed the face of Christian Europe,
and was prolific of the most important results.
For a considerable time both the Pope and the
superior clergy regarded with contempt what they
considered as the heretical but impotent endeavour
of a vicious and powerless monk to reorganize the
religious world ; a mere ebullition of vanity and
verbal license which could be suppressed at any
hour, but which might be more fittingly allowed
276 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
to perish of its own insignificance in the little city
which had witnessed its birth. They had miscal-
culated alike the nature and the talents of Martin
Luther. Obstacles had no power to deter him
from his purpose ; contempt passed him by un-
heeded ; conscious of a mighty mission, he despised
the suffrages of the powerful ; and still, in that
quiet town, and within the hoary walls of its silent
monastery, the work of God went on, to be em-
blazoned thereafter in characters of never-dying
light.
Meanwhile, the influence of Madame de Cha-
teaubriand continued unbounded, and she was re-
cognized as the channel through which all Court
favour might the most readily be secured. Louise
de Savoie was, it is true, still at the head of a
party who, aware of the volatile character of
Francis, were confidently anticipating the early
disgrace of the favourite ; but although they secretly
predicted and even desired her downfall, they were
not the less assiduous in their services. Her beauty,
far from decreasing, appeared only to augment by
time, and the passion of the king kept pace with
it. Her smile was a sufficient recompense for the
greatest concession, and her wish was a law which
he implicitly obeyed. Stern and unyielding towards
his ministers, in her hands he was plastic as wax,
and she moulded him to her pleasure. Her am-
bition increased with her consciousness of power ;
and so completely did she contrive to thrall the
reason of her royal lover, that although her liaison
I5i8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 277
with Bonnivet had become notorious, and her
advances to the Due de Bourbon had long been
a theme of sarcasm to the whole Court, her in-
fluence over the infatuated monarch was stronger
than ever.
Nevertheless, either from indolence or from
habit, Francis permitted his mother to take an
active share in the affairs of government, and
to treat with the legates and ambassadors who
visited his Court ; her splendid person, insinuating
manners, and powerful understanding enabling her
to bring to his counsels the most efficient aid.
Equally indulgent to her own social vices and to
those of her son, she troubled him by none of those
representations or reproaches of which he was so
impatient ; and he consequently felt for her a de-
ferential affection which secured her lasting supre-
macy. The queen, who, on the 28th of February
in the preceding year, had become the mother of
a third daughter, having at length abandoned all
hope of enjoying the domestic happiness to which
she was so admirably constituted to contribute, had
ceased to evince the slightest interest in the events
which were taking place around her, and was
seldom seen in public, save on occasions of Court
ceremonial ; while the wily Duprat, anxious to
maintain himself in the exalted post to which he
had attained, encouraged the libertine propensities
of the young king, and surrounded him with com-
panions little calculated to elevate his moral char-
acter.
278 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
Francis had, at this period, reached his twenty-
fourth year ; and to his naturally dissipated tastes
he added a supreme contempt for all classes of his
subjects save such as blindly lent themselves to
his single will. He refused to assemble the States-
General, or to recognize their right of opinion
upon any public measure adopted by himself; nor
would he suffer them to have a voice in the financial
concerns of the kingdom. If Louis XIV., in the
plenitude of his satisfaction upon finding himself
King of France, was betrayed into the arrogance
of exclaiming, " L ' Etdt, cest Moi!" it is certain that
the same sentiment had previously been stringently
enacted by Francis I.
Nevertheless, however he might despise the
opinions or the prejudices of his people, it is not
the less certain that the young king avoided as
much as possible any lengthened sojourn in the
capital, where his immediate circle was exposed to
the scrutiny and comments of the citizens ; and,
contenting himself by inhabiting the palace of the
Tournelles during the winter months, he commonly
spent the remainder of the year in travelling from
castle to castle, accompanied by his whole Court,
generally selecting the western provinces, and is-
suing his orders in turn from Blois, Amboise,
Ancenis, Verger, St. Germain -en- Lay e, and even
occasionally from some obscure hunting rendezvous.
The enormous outlay necessitated by this per-
petual migration may be imagined when it is stated
that Francis exacted under all circumstances the
15 18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 279
same ceremonious magnificence ; and, according to
Brantome, his establishment exceeded all parallel ;
"nothing," says the quaint old chronicler, "could
approach it ; for there was his own table, that of
the grand -master, that of the grand -chamberlain
and chamberlains, of the gentlemen of the chamber,
of the gentlemen on duty, of the valets de chambre,
and many others all so well provided that nothing
was wanting ; and what was most remarkable is,
that in a village, or in the forests, or at a meeting,
all were as well provided for as though they had
been in Paris."
Nor was this the only species of profusion in
which Francis indulged. Careless of the calamities
which he caused by overwhelming his people with
taxation, he was lavish of the money thus obtained
to all by whom he was approached ; and this to
so extreme a degree, that the same writer from
whom we have just quoted proceeds to say :
" Every one was astonished how he could sustain
and furnish the outlay of > such immense sums in
war, and in gifts, above all to the ladies, for he
made them great presents, and in such pomps,
sumptuousnesses, magnificences, and superb build-
ings. No great weddings were celebrated at his
Court which were not solemnized either by tourna-
ments, or combats, or masquerades, or rich vest-
ments, both male and female, or suits of state
liveries. I have seen the chests and wardrobes of
some of the ladies of that period so full of dresses
which the king had given to them at different fetes
280 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
and ceremonies, that they were a fine fortune of
themselves."
It will be readily understood that it was not amid
such a career as this that Francis was likely to recall
to mind the duties which he owed to the people over
whom he had been called to govern, or to disen-
tangle himself from the shackles of an unholy attach-
ment ; yet the favour of Madame de Chateaubriand,
had it been less steadfastly founded, might have
sustained a perilous shock from the unbridled arro-
gance of her brother, the Marechal de Lautrec, who
at this period had by his extortions and assumption
so disgusted the Milanese as to create great discon-
tent, and to aggravate their dislike to their con-
querors to a pitch which threatened the most serious
consequences. He had, moreover, given great um-
brage to the Court of Rome by subjecting all eccle-
siastical affairs to a species of military ordeal ; while
his demeanour towards the veteran Marechal de
Trivulzio, who had formerly held the government of
Milan, and now shared it with himself, completed
the exasperation of the people.
Trivulzio was descended, as we have elsewhere
stated, from one of the noblest of the Lombard
families, and had been induced to join the French
army in order to assist in the overthrow of the
tyrannical Ludovico Sforza ; nor had his services
ended there, for he had subsequently devoted him-
self to the interests both of Charles VIII. and Louis
XII. with a valour and fidelity which was not ex-
ceeded by those of any of their own subjects. Age
I5i8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 281
had, however, tamed his gallant spirit, and he had
retired to Milan in order to pass the short remainder
of his days amid the friends of his early years. Un-
fortunately, his universal popularity, and his great
wealth, which enabled him to maintain a magnificent
style of living, offended the vanity and aroused the
jealousy of Lautrec, who could not brook to see
himself eclipsed upon the very theatre of his triumph,
and who, finding himself powerless to injure the
brave old man at his own hearth, could invent no
other method of gratifying his selfish malice than
that of representing him in his letters to the Court
as a dangerous and intriguing individual, who, pro-
fiting by his knowledge of the internal economy and
resources of the French nation, had placed himself
at the head of a faction hostile to the authority of
Francis, which, should it be permitted to mature its
plans, might endanger the tenure of the Milanese.
Urged on the one hand by the wishes of the
Pope to recall Lautrec from his government, and
apprehensive on the other that, should his report of
the defalcation of Trivulzio prove correct, he should
be favouring the views of the disaffected portion of
the duchy by removing the man who had detected
their intrigue, Francis wavered. His irresolution
was not, however, long fated to endure, for Madame
de Chateaubriand was near him at all hours, to
silence his doubts, to strenghten his decision, and to
stifle his remorse. Lautrec triumphed ; his acts of
government were justified ; and the gray-haired Tri-
vulzio declared a traitor to his adopted country.
282 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xi
This accusation, uttered by Francis in a moment
of passion, was soon communicated to the veteran
marechal, who, jealous of his honour, could not
brook so foul an insult, but forgetting his age and
his infirmities (for he had attained his eighty-second
year) made immediate preparations for leaving
Milan in order to justify himself in person to the
sovereign by whom he had been so cruelly mis-
judged.
The summer was at its height, and, compelled
to travel slowly alike from physical weakness and
the sultriness of the season, it was not until the be-
ginning of October that the heartstricken old man
reached Ancenis, where the Court then resided ; but,
worn and suffering as he was, he lost no time in soli-
citing an audience both of. Francis and his mother.
Madame d'Angouleme, who had personal reasons
for siding with the Comtesse de Chateaubriand in
this emergency, peremptorily refused to receive him ;
and although the king permitted his presentation, he
simply addressed him with a few cold and civil
words of welcome, and then turning upon his heel
continued a conversation which the reception of the
unwelcome visitor had apparently interrupted. Again
and again did the veteran warrior entreat only to be
heard ; Francis was inexorable ; and at length, finding
that it was in vain to hope for a formal audience, and
learning that the king was to pass on a certain day
through the town of Arpajon, where he was then re-
siding, Trivulzio, being too much enfeebled to stand,
caused himself to be carried on a chair to the centre of
FRANCIS THE FIRST 283
the street, and as Francis approached addressed him
with the noble and touching entreaty : " Sire, Con-
descend to listen for one moment to a man who has
risked his life in seventeen battles for you and your
ancestors."
Francis looked towards him for an instant, but
the influence of Madame de Chateaubriand was too
powerful, his better nature sank before it, and with-
drawing his eyes he passed on in silence.
" Sire ! oh, Sire ! only one word ; " again uttered
the failing- voice, but the king coldly pursued his
way ; and the wretched old man, throwing himself
back into the arms of his attendants, suffered them
to carry him once more to his bed, whence he never
rose again. His heart was broken, and he had done
with life. Francis was no sooner apprised that the
brave old marechal was dying than a feeling of re-
morse for the harshness which he had displayed
awoke him to a sense of his own cruelty, and he
despatched one of the gentlemen of his chamber to
express his regret that he should have exhibited so
much rigour to one who had so nobly served the
French nation.
" I feel the kindness of the king," said the expir-
ing veteran, " but I have felt his harshness still more
deeply. It is now too late."
In another hour he had breathed his last sigh ;
and nothing remained of the noble victim of a licen-
tious woman and an envious and unworthy rival
save the affecting epitaph which, by his own direc-
tion, was engraved upon his tomb : J. J. Trivul-
284 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, xi
tius, Antonii filius, qui nunquam quievit, quiescit ;
tace !
Whatever might have been the feelings of Francis
when he learnt that the brave old soldier had ceased
to exist, they were unable to resist the blandishments
of the favourite ; for, to the indignation of many who
had fought beside Trivulzio, the baton of marechal
which he had so long wielded with honour to himself
and to the sovereign whom he served was bestowed
upon Lescun, her second brother.
Truly vice was at a premium in France in the
sixteenth century !
CHAPTER XII
1518
Increasing popularity of Charles of Spain Bonnivet is sent on a mission to
England A League is proposed by Francis to Henry against the Turks
And the marriage of the infant Dauphin with the Princess Mary The
reception of the embassy at the Court of England Bonnivet secures the
interest of Wolsey Francis enters into a correspondence with the Cardi-
nal Wolsey resigns the bishopric of Tournay Suspicions of Henry
VIII. The treaty is concluded The hostages The betrothal at St.
Paul's The French embassy leaves England The Earl of Worcester
arrives in France Reluctance of the Earl of Worcester to deliver up the
city of Tournay Indignation of M. de Chatillon The betrothal is re-
peated at St. Denis The ambassadors leave France Francis fortifies
Tournay and Terouenne The French king endeavours to conciliate
Charles of Castile The Turks threaten Italy Francis declares his inten-
tion of joining the Crusade Death of the Sultan Charles aspires to be
elected Emperor of Germany Rivalry of Charles and Francis Maximi-
lian demands the crown of Rome Intrigues of Leo X. Chivalric
diplomacy Bonnivet is despatched to Frankfort Precarious position of
Germany Death of Maximilian Its effect upon the affairs of Europe
Francis bribes the electoral princes.
THE increasing power and popularity of Charles of
Spain beginning about this period to awaken the ap-
prehensions of the French king, he became anxious
to secure the closer alliance of Henry VIII., whose
defection from his interests would effectually have
destroyed the balance of Europe and involved the
political ruin of France. Moreover, Henry was at
best a doubtful ally under existing circumstances, for
his jealousy of Francis was no secret, and his thirst
for conquest rendered him a dangerous neighbour,
286 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
possessed as he was of the strongly-fortified town of
Tournay, which at all times afforded him easy ingress
to the French territories.
Desirous at once to ransom the city and to secure
a more complete and satisfactory understanding with
his brother-monarch, Francis accordingly despatched
to England the friend of his childhood, Bonnivet, on
whose good faith and zeal he implicitly relied, and
upon whose insinuating manners and courtly tact he
calculated to effect a purpose which might never
have been accomplished through the ordinary
medium of state diplomacy. Conscious, moreover,
of the vain and avaricious character of Wolsey, who
had at this period become all-powerful with his royal
master, Francis instructed his envoy to be profuse
to the minister both in presents and promises before
he ventured to open the negotiation on the subject
of Tournay ; and meanwhile to represent to Henry,
as the object of his mission, his own desire to asso-
ciate him with himself in the honourable privilege of
forming a league for the preservation of Christen-
dom from the Turks, who had in fact assumed an
attitude which rendered such a precaution highly
necessary. This effected, he was further authorized
to propose a matrimonial alliance between the Dau-
phin, then an infant of only a few months old, and
the Princess Mary, the daughter of Henry ; and
above all to suffer no opportunity to escape of con-
ciliating the haughty cardinal, without whose assist-
ance Francis was fully aware that nothing satisfac-
tory could be achieved, and whose personal pique
I5i8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 287
against him was, as he also knew, sufficient of itself
to bring about a war between the two nations.
The city of Tournay had remained in possession
of the English since the Battle of the Spurs ; but
they could place little reliance upon its aid in the
event of a frontier war, being highly unpopular with
the inhabitants, and surrounded on all sides by both
the French and the Flemish, who were equally
interested in compelling them to vacate a fortress of
that importance. Moreover, from its isolated posi-
tion, it was rendered useless either for attack or
defence ; but, despite all these drawbacks, Wolsey
had caused himself to be appointed to its bishopric,
and displaced for that purpose Louis Gaillart, the
prelate elected by the chapter of Tournay, who, on
his demission, had retired to the Court of France,
greatly to the displeasure of the English cardinal,
who considered himself aggrieved by the protection
extended by Francis to an individual whom he had
deposed.
The first clause of the mission was, as may be
readily understood, a mere pretext for the introduc-
tion of the more important objects which the French
king was eager to attain ; for the Pope, from the
ridicule and disgust which he had brought upon
religion by the indiscriminate and venal sale of in-
dulgences before cited, had rendered the success of
an European league for such a purpose as a crusade
almost impossible ; and in selecting Francis as the
sovereign by whom it was to be organized, he had
been only actuated by a desire to arouse the romance
288 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
of his nature, and to induce him to absent himself
for a time from his own dominions.
Bonnivet, so soon as he was fully apprized of the
wishes of his royal master, did not lose an instant in
endeavouring to conciliate the English cardinal,
whom he assured, in the letter by which he
announced to him his intended visit to the Court
of Henry, that the regret felt by the French king at
the recent misapprehensions on the subject of the
Due d'Aubigny and the ex- Bishop of Tournay, by
which he had lost the confidence of so distinguished
a person as his eminence, exceeded all bounds,
adding that he trusted, when he should have the
honour of a conference, that all would be explained
to his satisfaction, and that he would restore to the
French monarch a friendship which he highly valued.
Wolsey, flattered by these overtures, returned a
courteous reply, and immediate preparations were
made for the departure of the embassy, which was
one of exceeding magnificence.
Not only did it comprise Bonnivet himself, and a
number of great nobles and members of the council,
but also Gouffier de Boisy, and Poncher, Bishop of
Paris, all superbly appointed, and attended by so
enormous a suite that, on their arrival at Greenwich,
where the Court was then sojourning, on the 3Oth of
September, their appearance created to the full as
much astonishment as admiration.
Their reception even exceeded their hopes. The
social qualities of Bonnivet, the calm judgment of
Boisy, and the meek dignity of the metropolitan
1518 FRANCIS THE FIRST 289
bishop, alike produced their effect, and Henry and
his minister emulated each other in their efforts to
render the sojourn of the embassy in England a
period of unalloyed satisfaction. Every amusement
which could be devised was put into requisition ;
banquets, tourneys, balls, hunting parties, tiltings at
the ring, and all the various sports peculiar to the
age and nation, alternately occupied the time and
gratified the tastes of the courtly guests ; and amid
all this dissipation Bonnivet was busily and skilfully
employed in advancing the interests of his sovereign.
Respectful and earnest with the king himself, he
became obsequious and almost affectionate with
Wolsey, whom he justly considered as the actual
monarch of the country, and accordingly the car-
dinal, whose vanity was flattered by the distinction,
and to whom it immediately became apparent, grew
daily more attached to the society of the French
ambassador, and more anxious to favour his views.
All, consequently, progressed to the entire satisfac-
tion of Bonnivet, who lost no opportunity of vaunt-
ing the liberality and accomplishments of his young
monarch, and at the same time of impressing upon
the cardinal the weight which he attached to the
good opinion and admirable counsels of so great a
minister. Wolsey listened so greedily to these per-
petual plaudits, uttered as they were, sometimes in
the deep bay of a window during the intervals of a
dance; sometimes in his barge, as the indefatigable
envoy accompanied him to Westminster; and some-
times in the quiet shades of Hampton, where the
VOL. i 1 9
290 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
cardinal was then erecting the famous palace which
outvied in its time those of royalty itself, and ex-
patiating to his attentive listener upon the architec-
tural glories which he meditated, that at length
Bonnivet ventured to hint how anxiously his sove-
reign desired the advice and assistance of his
eminence upon a subject in which he was deeply
interested.
After a little diplomatic coquetry, Wolsey declared
himself ready to aid the French king in any way
not inconsistent with his duty to his own monarch,
upon which the ambassador entreated him to place
himself in direct correspondence with Francis, who
would, as a natural consequence, express himself
more confidentially to his eminence than he could
condescend to do through any third person, however
trustworthy. This was after a time also conceded,
and forthwith letters were exchanged between the
French king and the English cardinal which soon
tended to secure the interests of Francis, although
all was so skilfully contrived that Wolsey was en-
abled to communicate each missive as it reached his
hands to Henry himself, who, as he read the earnest
appeals made by his brother monarch to his own
minister for advice and support, laughingly remarked
that his eminence must indeed be an extraordinary
person if he could contrive to govern two kingdoms
at the same time, but that he personally entertained
no doubt of his capability even for such an under-
taking, difficult and onerous as it was.
Meanwhile the letters of Francis were accom-
15 1 8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 291
panied by the most costly gifts, to which Bonnivet
affected to attach no importance, assuring the grati-
fied cardinal that, should he continue his good offices
to France, its sovereign would know how to recom-
pense them in a far more efficient manner. The
united flattery of the young king and his envoy
proved irresistible, and at length Wolsey was in-
duced to listen to the proposition with which Bon-
nivet was charged, and not only agreed to exchange
his distant and unproductive bishopric of Tournay
for a life-pension of twelve thousand livres, but, in
return for this munificence, also to exert all his
influence over the mind of Henry to induce him to
accede both to this arrangement and to the alliance
proposed by Francis.
These preliminaries having been privately ad-
justed, Wolsey forthwith began to recant all his
former arguments upon the importance of retaining
the city of Tournay, and represented to the king
that, upon mature reflection, he had arrived at the
conclusion that the immense outlay necessitated by
the support of a strong garrison in so isolated a
position more than counterbalanced the contingent
advantages to be derived from its possession ; its
distance from Calais, in the event of a rupture be-
tween the two nations, rendering it impossible to
defend it, when it must eventually be lost to
England, either through force or famine. He
therefore strenuously advised Henry to accept the
offers of Francis, who had proposed to purchase
back from the English crown Tournay, Mortaigne,
292 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
and Saint Amand, at the enormous sum of' six
hundred thousand crowns of gold, payable in twelve
years, and to deliver into his keeping four gentle-
men of his chamber and four of the royal pages
as hostages, until the whole amount should be
liquidated.
As the king, only half convinced, and somewhat
startled by this sudden change in the opinion of his
minister, still hesitated, Wolsey reminded him that
should he refuse to lend himself to the wishes of
Francis upon this point, the French monarch would
in all probability recant his offer of the hand
of the dauphin, which was, with the sole excep-
tion of that of Charles of Spain, the only alliance
worthy of the Princess of England ; and that, more-
over, Henry might deduct whatever should remain
unpaid at the period of the marriage from the dowry
of the bride, with whom the sum of three hundred
and thirty -three thousand crowns had been de-
manded. He also expatiated earnestly upon the
immense advantages which must accrue to England
from a marriage which would strengthen the friend-
ship already existing between the two nations, and
enable them to oppose the increasing power of the
house of Austria, which, being already possessed
not only of the Empire but also of Spain, the Low
Countries, and the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily,
was rapidly assuming an attitude that threatened the
peace of Europe and the independence of individual
nations.
After some slight objections on the part of Henry
FRANCIS THE FIRST 293
VIII., which were ultimately overruled by the argu-
ments of the cardinal and the representations of the
French ambassador, the treaty was definitively con-
cluded, and Bonnivet bound himself to deliver into
the hands of the English monarch the promised
pledges, in the persons of Frangois de Montmorency,
Seigneur de la Rochefort, Charles de Mouy, Seig-
neur de la Meilleraye, Antoine des Pres, Seigneur
de Montpesat, and Charles de Souliers, Seigneur de
Morette in Piedmont, as well as the four pages of
the presence, one of whom was the elder son of the
Seigneur de Hugueville, the younger representative
of the family of Mortemart ; and of the three re-
maining two were scions of the noble houses of
Melun and Grimault These important measures
had been accomplished in the short period of six
weeks, and at the termination of that time the cere-
mony of the betrothal was performed on the part of
the princess in the cathedral of St. Paul's, where the
English and French nobility vied with each other in
magnificence, and the most lavish protestations of
friendship were exchanged. 1
The leavetaking followed ; and with the same
pompous retinue as they had landed the ambas-
sadors of Francis quitted the shores of England,
amid the acclamations of the dazzled multitude.
Shortly afterwards Henry despatched, in his turn,
the Earl of Worcester, the Bishop of Ely, Lord
St. John, Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir John Pechy, Sir
1 The treaty of marriage between the two royal children was
signed in London on the 1 4th of October 1518.
294 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
Thomas Boleyn, and a retinue rivalling that of
Bonnivet, to Paris, as witnesses to the correspond-
ing ceremony on the part of the dauphin, which was
celebrated with equal grandeur in the metropolitan
church of Notre Dame, and at the same time to
receive the hostages and to deliver up the city of
Tournay, according to the stipulations of the treaty.
The mission was an ungracious one to the earl, who
had been present at the taking of Tournay, and saw
with regret so brilliant a trophy once more lost to
England ; nor would he consent to yield up the
city until Gaspard de Coligny, Due de Chatillon
and Mar^chal de France, who had been despatched
with a body of two hundred men-at-arms to take
possession, transmitted to him his authority to
receive it, together with a written acknowledgment
that he claimed the place not as a right but as a
gift ; a demand which excited much indignation
among the French officers.
Nevertheless, fearful of incurring the displeasure
of Francis, they resolved to comply ; and, accord-
ingly, the required documents were delivered to the
earl on the following morning, and Chatillon no
sooner ascertained that they had reached his hands
than he advanced at the head of his troop with
drums beating and colours flying, in order to make
a triumphant entry into the citadel. To this arrange-
ment, however, the English earl, already sufficiently
chafed by the cession of the city, would by no means
consent ; and he immediately despatched a gentle-
man-at-arms to the quarters of the marechal, de-
iSi8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 295
claring that, as the city had neither yielded nor
been taken, but simply transferred by a marriage
treaty, he could not consent to suffer that it should
be entered after the fashion of conquerors ; and
that the banners which had been so prematurely
displayed must be furled before he would permit
the French troops to pass the gates.
This new affront was ill brooked by M. de Cha-
tillon and his captains ; but once more they found
themselves compelled to submit ; the obnoxious
standards were covered, and they marched forward
"with drums and minstrelsy" to the walls, where
they were met by the Earl of Worcester and his
companions, the papers which they had transmitted
to him were read aloud, and possession of the
town and citadel, together with all the artillery and
ammunition that it contained, was formally delivered
to them, after which the English nobles took their
departure for Paris, to be present at the second
ceremony of affiance.
They reached the capital at the commencement
of December, and such was the anxiety evinced
both by Louise de Savoie and her son to secure
the goodwill of Henry VIII. that no seduction was
spared in order to induce them to prolong their stay.
The most beautiful women of the Court were their
constant companions, and festival succeeded festival
with a rapidity which left them little time to devote
to public business. The most superb horses and
the richest jewels were profusely distributed among
the nobles, while their followers were regaled with
296 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
equal magnificence. At length, however, they were
compelled to take their leave, and Francis had once
again leisure to turn his attention to more important
objects.
His first care was to restore the fortresses of Tour-
nay and Terouenne, which latter had been destroyed
by the English in 1513, to their original state of
defence, and to increase the strength of the fortifica-
tions of Havre ; while he was no less anxious to
conciliate the Pope and the King of Castile than he
had been to secure the alliance of Henry VIII.
Even Lorenzo de' Medici was not overlooked, and
Francis so far committed himself as to promise his
assistance, should it be required, in any future
attempt which the Florentine might make to
augment his territories, notwithstanding that he
had already unjustly possessed himself of the duchy
of Urbino. The death of this prince in the follow-
ing year, however, released the monarch from so
dishonourable a compact.
The Pope conciliated, Maximilian for a time at
least powerless, and the alliance of Henry VIII.
secured by the betrothal of the dauphin to his
daughter, neither Francis nor his mother spared
any pains to win the friendship and confidence of
Charles of Castile, even while they were secretly
engaged in frustrating his schemes of ambition.
The Princesse Louise, to whom he had been be-
trothed, had died in her third year ; thus a link was
broken which they were desirous to renew, and in
order to effect this they proposed to him her sister
I 5 i8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 297
Charlotte, who was still an infant ; while, impossible
as it was to speculate upon a marriage which could
not possibly take place for many years, Francis still
persisted, in order to keep up the illusion, in
addressing Charles as his son-in-law, and in over-
whelming him with professions of regard and affec-
tion, which were intended to blind him to the efforts
that he was in reality making to curb his power and
to counteract his projects.
Meanwhile the young king had not forgotten the
mission with which he had been entrusted by the
Pope, and in which he had urged Henry VIII. to
participate ; although there can be little doubt that
neither the one nor the other, when they professed
themselves willing to undertake the expedition, was
prepared to redeem his pledge. It was true that
Selim, the reigning sultan, was equipping a prodi-
gious naval force on the coast opposite Otranto, and
that should the Moslems, newly flushed as they were
with conquest, turn their arms against Italy or
Germany, those countries might become an easy
prey, and all Christendom in its turn be threatened ;
but at this precise crisis it was rather the Pope him-
self and Maximilian who were in jeopardy than
either Francis or Henry, both of whom were more
apprehensive of the European enemy beyond their
frontier than of the infidel who might never dream
of invading their territories.
Nevertheless, the French king considered it ex-
pedient as a measure of policy to declare himself
ready to redeem his word ; and accordingly, on the
298 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
6th of December 1518, he convoked an assembly of
all the princes of the blood, the marshals of France,
the captains of his army, the grand council, and the
presidents of Paris, and announced his intention of
joining the crusade. He also caused prayers to be
offered up in the churches, and despatched informa-
tion of his design to the emperor and the kings of
England and Castile ; but although the whole nation
were aware that the project had been pending for a
considerable period, and that it was the result of
a long negotiation with the sovereign -pontiff, this
demonstration created little sensation in France, as
a general conviction was felt that it would never be
carried into execution. A few hot-headed young
men, weary of inaction, volunteered to join the
crusading army, but their enthusiasm met with no
serious response ; and the death of Selim, which
occurred before any steps had been taken to com-
mence the expedition, at once put an end to the
enterprise.
Meanwhile Charles of Castile was not idle. The
health of Maximilian, his grandfather, was failing,
and he aspired to succeed him as Emperor of
Germany. For several years Maximilian, ever
needy, had been endeavouring to extort money
both from Francis and Henry VIII. by an offer to
transfer to them what he somewhat questionably
denominated his claims on Italy, and which con-
sisted simply in a project that he had mentally
formed of uniting all the slates of that country and
Germany under one sovereign. His demands were
iSi8 FRANCIS THE FIRST 299
of course disregarded, and he was consequently irri-
tated against both monarchs, and readily induced to
favour the views of his ambitious grandson. As a
preliminary measure Charles had applied to the
pontiff for a grant of the investiture of Naples, of
which Leo X. claimed to be the feudal sovereign ;
and not content with this attempt, had also prayed
to be recognized as King of the Romans ; while
Maximilian, who was anxious to secure to him the
empire of Germany, in his turn negotiated with the
electors, 1 many of whom promised him their votes ;
but a legal impediment rendered the election one of
considerable difficulty, a circumstance of which the
Pope skilfully availed himself. He had lost no time
in apprizing Francis of the requirements of Charles,
and the jealousy of the French king being immedi-
ately aroused, he had urged the pontiff to withhold
his compliance, and not, by an ill-placed condescen-
sion, to peril the safety of the Holy See, reminding
him that as Maximilian had never received the im-
perial crown in Rome, he could claim no higher
title than that of King of the Romans ; while he
should have been crowned emperor before, accord-
ing to the Germanic constitution, he could assume a
right to call upon the electors to recognize his pre-
sumptive heir as successor to the empire. More-
1 These electors were Albert of Brandenburg, Archbishop ot
Mayence ; Hermand, Count of Wied and Archbishop of Cologne ;
Richard of Greiffenklau, Archbishop of Treves ; Louis, King of
Bohemia ; Louis, Count-Palatine of the Rhine ; Frederic, Duke of
Saxe, surnamed the Wise ; and Joachim, Marquis of Brandenburg.
The Archbishop of Mayence was in favour of Charles, while the
prelate of Treves defended the interests of Francis.
300 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
over, as he adduced, the grandson of Maximilian
was King of the two Sicilies, and by the decrees
of the Church, which had existed in full vigour
during two centuries and a half, the crown of the
empire and that of Naples could not lawfully be
united on the same head.
The Pope replied to the application of Charles
by representing these impediments, which he de-
clared to be insuperable ; but the young King of
Spain was as pertinacious as his rival, and urged
the emperor to announce to the Court of Rome that
his election was secured in Germany, and to request
from the sovereign - pontiff a dispensation which
would set aside the constitutions of the Church.
Francis, however, denied that such was the case,
declaring that Charles had not been elected, and
never would be so ; and that, moreover, he had
been himself urged to advance his own pretensions
to the contested dignity ; and he therefore in his
turn prayed his holiness to be cautious how he
endangered the permanent interests of the Church
by setting aside her decrees, which had not only
been the result of profound wisdom, but had now
become doubly sacred from their antiquity.
Maximilian then pressed the Pope to send the
imperial crown to Vienna by a nuncio, authorized
by his holiness to perform the ceremonial of his
coronation, while Charles was betrayed into the
injudicious measure of endeavouring to engage the
French king to use his interest with Leo to induce
him to consent to this arrangement, a request which
15 18 FRANCIS THE FIRST 301
was necessarily evaded by Francis, who counselled
the pontiff to decline a measure which tended to
lower the dignity of the Holy See, and to propose
that Maximilian should proceed to Rome to receive
the crown of empire from his own sacred hands.
" Let his holiness," he added to the legate, "be
under no apprehension, for assuredly he will not
undertake such a journey without being well guarded ;
and if he were even able to perform it at the head
of an army, which is not probable, still let his holi-
ness remain passive, and allow the King of France
to act ; for as Maximilian will be compelled to tra-
verse the territories of Milan or Venice, the king
will immediately pass into Italy to protect his pos-
sessions, and so well accompanied that he will pledge
himself that Maximilian shall not reach Rome, but
will be satisfied to retrace his steps."
Leo X., however, could not overcome his reluc-
tance to venture on so hazardous an experiment,
and it would appear from a letter of the Cardinal de
Bibbiena that he had already prepared a bull by
which Charles was authorized to unite the imperial
crown with that of Sicily, although he concealed the
fact carefully from Francis until the result of the
election should be declared. Moreover, he laboured
assiduously to dissuade the French king from ad-
vancing his claim to the empire, declaring that the
interests of Europe would be better secured were
some petty German prince invested with this high
sounding title than the monarch of so powerful a
nation as France ; and reminding him that Henry
302 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
VIII., who had originally expressed his resolution
of contesting the dignity, had already abandoned
the project.
In the first instance Francis had opposed the
King of Spain with an apparent frankness and
generosity which were consistent with his reputa-
tion for chivalry, declaring that the contest need
in no degree affect the regard which subsisted be-
tween Charles and himself, but that, on the con-
trary, they had only to consider themselves in the
same position as two young cavaliers, who, ena-
moured of the same mistress, even while using their
best efforts to win her favour, avoided all occasion
of quarrel, and continued true and loyal friends. It
was impossible, however, that so momentous a
struggle could be carried on without bitterness ; the
very consciousness which existed on both sides that
each was strenuously labouring to undermine the
interests of the other rendered such an attempt
incompatible ; and while Charles was urging his
grandfather to undertake the journey to Rome, and
thus to remove one of the most serious objections of
the Pope to his own succession, Francis despatched
Bonnivet, whose successful embassy to England had
inspired him with the most perfect confidence in his
diplomatic talents, in disguise to Frankfort with
large sums of money to purchase the votes of such
of the electors as had not yet declared in his favour.
Bonnivet was subsequently followed by the Marquis
de Fleuranges and the Seigneur Albret d'Orval, who
were also commissioned to forward by every means
1518 FRANCIS THE FIRST 303
in their power the interests of their sovereign ; but
neither of these envoys acted with sufficient circum-
spection, and all their proceedings were immediately
known and thwarted by Charles, whose early habits
of caution and prescience had rendered him a for-
midable antagonist to inferior diplomatists. More-
over, the position of Germany was at that moment
extremely critical ; the attitude of the Turks was
still hostile, and the nation was beginning to feel the
shock of a mighty religious schism. Thus menaced
both externally <and internally, she required a prince
whose firmness and power might enable her not
only to maintain herself, but also to recover from
the prostration to which she had been subjected by
the wavering and imbecile rule of Maximilian, who,
full of great projects, none of which he ever accom-
plished, had by his inordinate vanity and thirst for a
renown which he was utterly incapable of acquiring,
by his uncalculating love of splendour and his absurd
pretensions, only succeeded in rendering the first
monarchy in Christendom both helpless and insig-
nificant.
The two rival sovereigns were, it is true, alike
brave and powerful, but Charles had in this contest
the advantage of his German extraction, his intimate
acquaintance with the principles of the Germanic
constitution, and a stability of character which, unlike
the volatile nature of Francis, inspired at once re-
spect and confidence.
Thus were matters situated when the sudden
and unexpected death of Maximilian, at Lintz upon
304 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xn
the Danube, on the I5th of January 1519, from fatigue
and repletion, at the age of sixty-three years, gave a
new impetus to the exertions of the contending
potentates. "His death," says Fleuranges in his
memoirs, with a bonhommie which is irresistible,
" was a great pity, as he was a good prince, and
kept all Christendom awake ; for when he could not
accomplish anything himself he showed the way to
other people, and therefore all fighting men ought to
grieve at his death." One circumstance connected
with his decease is worthy of mention. During the
last four years of his existence he had caused a large
and heavy chest to be carried with him wherever
he went, and despite his improvident habits there
were those about him who fully expected one day
to reap a rich harvest from it contents, never doubt-
ing that it was freighted with treasure. He had no
sooner expired, however, than the illusion was dis-
pelled by the discovery that it was simply his coffin,
which he had thus prepared against an emergency
that he foresaw must soon occur.
His demise was fated to exert an influence over
the destinies of Europe which no action of his life
had been able to elicit. Henry VIII. had, as we
have already stated, withdrawn from the contest for
empire, to which he had been originally urged by
Maximilian himself, who, forgetting all other in-
terests in the old hatred which he bore to France,
had even offered to resign his own claim to the
imperial crown if the English king would possess
himself of Milan, and then accompany him to
1518 FRANCIS THE FIRST 305
Rome to receive it. It is asserted that Henry
subsequently repented the prudence which had led
him to decline this offer, from a distrust not only
of the sincerity but also of the stability of Maximilian,
whose magnificent beginnings generally ended in
failure, and that he would willingly, when it was
too late, have recanted his resolution. The delay
had, however, been fatal to him ; he could neither
compete with the policy of Charles nor with the gold
of Francis, who had distributed the enormous sum
of four hundred thousand crowns among the elec-
toral princes through the medium of his agents, and
Henry accordingly remained neuter.
VOL. I 2O
CHAPTER XIII
1519
A struggle for empire Contrast between Charles and Francis Able govern-
ment of the Cardinal Ximenes He is displaced and dies The Germans
favour the pretensions of Francis Tergiversation of the Pope Duplicity
of Henry VIII. Supineness of the petty princes Wily policy of Charles
Germaine de Foix Francis offends the prejudices of the Flemish
Robert de la Mark Seckingen His introduction to the French king
Mutual misgivings The Due de Gueldres is disgraced at the instigation
of Louise de Savoie Her double dealing M. de la Mark and the
Bishop of Liege join the cause of Charles Disgust of Seckingen He
joins the princes of Bouillon Charles of Austria attacks the Turkish
galleys.
THUS the struggle was entirely between the sover-
eigns of France and Spain ; and, perhaps, two
monarchs more dissimilar both in physical and
moral attributes could not have placed them-
selves in competition. Francis, full of ambition,
courage, and enthusiasm, gifted by nature with a
person of remarkable majesty and beauty, had
already won a reputation for valour which had be-
come European. Moreover, he had been eminently
successful in all his undertakings, had encouraged
literature, had patronished art, and had, by his
extraordinary munificence, blinded the multitude to
those defects in his character which were a source
of uneasiness to the more reflective portion of his
subjects.
1 5 19 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I 307
Charles, on the contrary, was cold and phlegmatic,
prudent and calculating. Born and educated in
Flanders, he was almost entirely a stranger to the
electors, with whom he had made no effort to ally
himself since his accession to the Spanish crown ; as
a soldier he was utterly unknown, and his diplomacy
had as yet been limited to mere, self-defence. In
person he was insignificant and unprepossessing.
Of middle height and weak health, he possessed no
energy either of voice or gesture, his under lip was
heavy and pendant, his eyes were cold and colourless,
his face was long and melancholy in its expression,
and nothing in his appearance tended to reveal the
extent of that genius and strength of character by
which he was subsequently distinguished. Unable,
even as King of Spain, to liberate himself from the
yoke of his governor, M. de Chievres, and accustomed
to obey implicitly all his directions, he had so
thoroughly abnegated his own powers of volition
that his subjects already began to look upon him
with disdain and distrust, and to murmur among
themselves that the malady of his mother (Jeanne
la Folle) was hereditary. During the year which
succeeded the treaty of Noyon he had entirely
absented himself from Spain, nor had he visited
Austria until September 1 5 1 7, as he shrank from
encountering the Cardinal Ximenes, who first re-
covered, and then had established order and obedience
throughout these kingdoms in the short space of
twenty months ; and had even, at the instigation of
M. de Chievres, written to him coldly and un-
308 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
graciously, advising him to retire to his diocese
and repose himself after the labour of his administra-
tion.
The aged cardinal, whose health was already
broken, died on the very day upon which the letter
reached him (the 8th November 1517), although
not, as some historians declare, by fair means. This
event aroused the indignation of the Spaniards,
whose respect and attachment for their primate had
been extreme ; nor was their irritation lessened by
the fact that his vacant archbishopric of Toledo was
bestowed upon a nephew of M. de Chievres, who
was still a youth. Other causes of dissatisfaction
had also arisen, and Castile, Aragon, Catalonia, and
Valencia alike continued to dispute his claim to the
sovereignty ; while several of the free towns formed
a coalition to resist by force of arms the usurpation
of his Flemish advisers, and these were still at
Barcelona engaged in opposing the Cortes of Cata-
lonia, who had at length consented to recognize
him as joint-sovereign with his mother, when the
imperial electors assembled at Frankfort to decide
the question of the Germanic succession.
Nothing, therefore, under such circumstances as
these was likely to induce the Germans to elect as
their emperor a youth who had shown so little in-
clination to conciliate the subjects over whom he
already ruled, and who had exhibited such marked
contempt for their national rights and prejudices ;
while, on the other hand, Francis, as sovereign of
the kingdom of Aries and the duchy of Milan, was
15 1 9 FRANCIS THE FIRST 309
already a member of the empire, popular in his own
country, and cited throughout Europe as a model of
chivalry and justice.
It is not, consequently, matter of surprise that
the French king looked forward to a signal triumph
over his unprepossessing rival, or that he should be
sufficiently unguarded to betray the confidence that
he felt. Moreover, he trusted, and not without
reason, to the effect of the enormous sums which he
had caused to be distributed among the electors, and
which, from the poverty of some and the rapacity of
others, had been unhesitatingly accepted.
It was not, however, according to Fleuranges,
with money only that the French envoys were indis-
creet enough to pursue their purpose ; for while they
were scattering gold on all sides, and backing it by
promises which were forgotten as soon as uttered,
they also gave magnificent banquets to the German
nobility, where the greatest excesses were encour-
aged, and ultimately, in order to intimidate the
electors, they contemplated taking into their pay the
army of the confederated cities of Suabia, but in this
latter resolution the wary and calculating Charles had
already forestalled them.
While the electors were preparing to assemble at
the diet which was to decide the future destinies of
Europe, neither of the candidates was idle. In reply
to an application to the Pope for his support, Francis
received from the wily pontiff the warmest protesta-
tions of gratitude and attachment, while he skilfully
contrived to evade any pledge by which he might be
3io THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xin
compromised, and occupied himself in undermining
the interests of both sovereigns, in the hope that the
imperial crown might devolve to some less powerful
prince, from whose ambition Italy would have
nothing to apprehend. From Henry VIII. the
French king experienced even greater duplicity ;
for while he unequivocally promised him his support
he secretly gave it to his adversary. With the
King of Poland he had no better success, that
sovereign frankly declaring that he should adopt
the views of Louis of Hungary, who at once ex-
pressed his intention of supporting the claims of
Charles of Castile ; while the other powers of Europe,
who had no personal or political interest in either
candidate, forgetting how important such an event
must necessarily prove to the future interests of their
respective kingdoms, declined to involve themselves
in the responsibility of declaring their sentiments.
Meanwhile Charles, with less ostentation, was silently
and incessantly occupied in strengthening his party,
and quietly profiting by every false move into which
his adversary was betrayed. One of these, and that
a fatal one, enabled him to advance his interests in
an unlooked-for manner.
Germaine de Foix, the Dowager-Queen of Spain
and niece of Louis XII., wearied by the neglect and
insignificance to which she was condemned, and
apprehensive that, on the return of Charles to his
dominions, she should be subjected to still greater
annoyance, from the fact that, being childless, her
death would revive the claim of France to the king-
1 5 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 311
dom of Naples, had addressed letters both to
Madame d'Angouleme and her son, entreating them
to afford her their protection in the event of her
apprehensions proving well founded. These over-
tures had been coldly received ; Louise de Savoie,
whose pride could ill brook the necessity of yielding
precedence even to her daughter-in-law, at once
opposing the return of Ferdinand's widow to France,
which she foresaw would be the result should any
such pledge be given on the part of Francis.
Not only, indeed, was her pride involved in the
question, but also her vanity, for she had not for-
gotten that the favourite niece of Louis XII. had
been one of the handsomest women of the Court
and was many years her junior. To Francis him-
self the subject was altogether uninteresting ; he did
not calculate upon the advantage which might accrue
to Charles should he profit by this supineness, and,
accordingly, by the advice of his mother, very dis-
couraging answers were returned to the dowager-
queen, who became at length so impatient of the
ceremonious restraints of Spanish etiquette and the
solitude of a Court devoid alike of splendour and
amusement that her temper gave way before her dis-
appointment, and even to the French ambassador
she permitted herself to speak in the most unmea-
sured terms of the selfishness and bad feeling of the
monarch and his mother in thus forgetting that she
was a princess of France and their own kinswoman.
In so rigid a Court as that of Spain not a word
could be uttered by a person of her rank which was
312 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
riot overheard and registered, and accordingly Charles
was soon informed of the irritation of the offended
queen against Francis and his mother, as well as her
weariness of the restraints to which she was sub-
jected ; when, delighted at once to secure her good
will and to further his personal views, he lost no
time either in surrounding her with attention or in
presenting to her such individuals as were able both to
advance his own fortune and to interest her feelings ;
and consequently it was not long ere he succeeded
in negotiating a marriage between herself and
Casimir, Marquis de Brandebourg, the brother of
the Elector Joachim and of the Bishop of Mayence,
whose suffrages were thus secured to him in the
diet.
In the Low Countries Francis had also suffered
his popularity to become diminished by the impolitic
measures that he had adopted towards the recovered
city of Tournay, which, entirely surrounded by the
territories of Charles of Austria, had so long main-
tained its fidelity to France simply from the fact that
the preceding sovereigns had never sought to inter-
fere with its form of government, which was that of
a free republican city. Their authority recognized
by the payment of an annual tribute, they had neither
interfered in its internal administration nor garrisoned
the citadel, but had recognized, as their own lieuten-
ants, the municipal officers chosen by the citizens ;
whereas Francis had no sooner become master of
the city than he refused to confirm the ancient privi-
leges, which, according to his view of the subject,
1 5 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 313
rendered its inhabitants too independent of his own
authority, although they had been respected even by
the English, who, as conquerors, might have been
excused had they disregarded them. The natural
consequence ensued ; a considerable number of the
citizens emigrated, feeling that their commercial
interest must suffer from the restraints imposed upon
their transactions ; while the operative classes, thus
deprived of the means of existence formerly secured
by their industry, did not submit without murmurs
to the new thrall by which they were impoverished ;
and although the constant and novel presence of an
armed force compelled them to assume a semblance
of submission, they were all ready to cast off the
yoke of France upon the first opportunity which
might present itself; and, adds a quaint old chron-
icler, "Many a tall yoman that lacked Livying fel to
robyng, wJiich would not labor after their return."
Unfortunately this was not the only piece of bad
policy of which Francis was guilty in the same pro-
vince, for it was not long ere he alienated from his
interests the brave Robert de la Mark, the sovereign
prince of Bouillon and Sedan, and Due de Gueldres,
who, it may be remembered, did such good service
at Novara ; and, together with his valiant sons Fleu-
ranges and Jamets, levied and organized the lans-
quenets who superseded the Swiss mercenaries in
the armies of both Louis XII. and Francis himself.
Nor was the house of La Mark distinguished only
in the field, having given several prelates to the see
of Liege ; while Evrard, the younger brother of
314 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
Robert, still held the bishopric of that city, whose
spiritual government he had directed since the year
1506. Moreover, the Marquis de Fleuranges, who
had been one of the favourite companions of Francis
in his youth, was still actively employed in his ser-
vice, and entirely devoted to his interests ; and his
brother, the Seigneur de Jamets, filled an important
post in the royal army.
While levying the troops above-mentioned, M. de
la Mark had formed a close intimacy with Fra^ois
de Seckingen, a German adventurer who had ac-
quired a great reputation and considerable influence
throughout the empire, and by whose assistance he
was enabled to secure the services of the before-
named troops to the French cause. Seckingen was
one of those extraordinary men who occasionally
appear like landmarks, to point out the path of fame
to less gifted and enterprising natures. Of some-
what obscure family and small fortune, but possessed
of indomitable energy and the most seductive man-
ners, he had succeeded in rendering himself popular
with many of the petty princes of Germany, some of
whom occasionally afforded him very efficient assist-
ance in time of need. Although not a soldier by
profession he was enthusiastically attached to the
pursuit of arms, and had organized a small force with
which he carried on an irregular but harassing war
against the emperor, and such of the minor states as
had neglected or refused to secure his alliance. The
very beau ideal of a knight of romance, he was no
sooner seen in one place than he was heard of at
15 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 315
another many leagues distant ; and while he was
believed to be at one extremity of the empire he
made an attack upon some hostile sovereign at the
other. The Due de Lorraine, the citizens of Metz,
and the Landgrave of Hesse 1 alike incurred his dis-
pleasure, and were each compelled to purchase his
forbearance by a heavy tribute ; the former, more-
over, not only in ready money but by a life-pension
of five hundred florins ; while so great was the influ-
ence of his good fortune, which attracted to his
standard many of the bravest youths of Germany,
that the Due de Gueldres had at length advised
Francis if possible to attach him to his own interests,
no individual throughout the empire being enabled
to render to France services of equal value.
The proposition had been at once accepted, and
the duke was requested to bring him to Amboise
with all possible courtesy and honour, and to present
him in person to the French king ; while Seckingen,
whose attachment to Robert de la Mark was as
warm as that of a brother, no sooner ascertained
that the duke was anxious to effect the alliance than
he hastened to Sedan, accompanied by twelve Ger-
man gentlemen of his troop, and declared himself
ready to espouse the interests of Francis.
Little time was lost in commencing the journey ;
and as full powers had been given to M. de la Mark
to effect it in any manner likely to prove agreeable
to his companion, he added his son Fleuranges to
1 Philippe de Hesse, who subsequently embraced the Lutheran
faith, and took a prominent part in the religious troubles of Germany.
316 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xnr
the party, and proceeded by Chateau-Thierry and
other fine cities towards the capital, in order to im-
press the adventurer with a becoming wonder and
admiration of the great kingdom of which he was
about to become the ally.
On his arrival at Amboise Seckingen was at once
introduced into the royal presence, where the king
received him with a marked courtesy well calculated
to gratify his vanity ; nor did Madame d'Angouleme
fail, "obscure gentleman" as he was, to overwhelm
him with civility. His conversational powers de-
lighted the king, who was never weary of question-
ing him upon his exploits, or making merry at their
success ; and while the terms of their future alliance
were under consideration all the seductions of the
most brilliant Court in Europe were put forth to
captivate his senses and to amuse his leisure. Fran-
Qois, however, even while he bandied compliments
with a king of France, and found himself the tem-
porary idol of some of the most beautiful women in
the world, never for an instant lost his self-possession,
or suffered himself to overlook the real design of all
these attentions, or, above all, to forget that amid all
his social familiarity Francis had never reposed suffi-
cient confidence in his good faith to entrust to him
the real motive which had induced him to desire his
friendship. He had simply stated that he desired
his assistance in Germany, but he had said nothing
of his intention to contend for the empire ; and Seck-
ingen, who was as proud as he was daring, resented
this idle show of reserve. Meanwhile, however, all
1 5 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 317
was carried on with a great affectation of openness
and confidence between them, and Francis agreed
to settle upon his new ally a yearly pension of three
thousand francs, in return- for which grant Seckingen
bound himself to protect and uphold the interests of
the French king in Germany and elsewhere, as might
be required of him ; and this affair concluded, he
took leave of the Court with great honour, and re-
ceived at the hands of Francis a gold chain valued
at three thousand crowns, besides other presents ;
while each of the gentlemen of his suite was also
presented with a chain of less value, but still worthy
of the munificence of the monarch by whom it was
bestowed. Nevertheless the want of frankness
which he had detected in the king left in the heart
of Seckingen an irritation that he could not con-
ceal ; and as he quitted the palace with Fleuranges,
who had been present at the leavetaking, he ob-
served that courteous and liberal as Francis had
proved himself, and worthy as he appeared of the
eminent station which he filled, he, for his part,
would gladly have dispensed with the richest of his
gifts to have felt that his own intentions were better
appreciated, and to have been treated with somewhat
less courtesy and more confidence.
" The king mistakes his own interest by this ill-
timed caution," he said warmly, "and does not
understand the man with whom he has to deal.
Why could he not at once acknowledge that he
aspired to the empire ? He would have told me
nothing of which I was not already well aware, and
318 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
I should have felt more desire to further his purpose.
Tell him, however, I pray you, from me, that I am
ready to serve him according to the pledge which I
have given, against all Christendom, save only your
own house ; and that when I asked of him the men-
at-arms which he saw fit to refuse, it was not that
they might add to my own consequence, or serve my
own purposes, but solely with the intention of gain-
ing over some of the German gentlemen to his inte-
rests. I and mine will, however, loyally redeem our
pledge, as he shall hereafter acknowledge ; and you
may also tell him that the princes in whom he places
a faith which he has not condescended to extend to
a simple gentleman like myself, will deceive him ;
while I, whom he has not deigned to trust, shall
with your good help, be enabled to revenge him of
their perfidy."
On his return to Germany Seckingen resumed
the free system of warfare to which he had been so
long accustomed ; and meanwhile events occurred at
the Court of France which were destined to shake
his alliance with Francis. The king, since his re-
conciliation with the Swiss cantons, had ceased to
feel the same interest in his German auxiliaries ;
and, no longer relying upon their aid in case of
necessity, even relaxed in the regard which he had
previously evinced for the Due de Gueldres himself,
who was specially obnoxious to Madame d'Angou-
leme from the fact that he had, during her exile from
the Court in the reign of Louis XII., been a firm
and zealous adherent of Anne de Bretagne, for
15 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 319
whom he was suspected of a regard which exceeded
the mere attachment of a subject to his queen.
Believing, therefore, that her son was now inde-
pendent of his services, Louise de Savoie suffered
her pent-up hatred to appear, and urged Francis to
disband the company of a hundred men then under
the command of the duke on the pretext of their in-
efficient state of discipline, and to discontinue the
regular payment of his pensions ; while she pri-
vately committed a still more glaring act of treachery
towards his brother, the Prince-Bishop of Liege, who
was a candidate for a seat in the conclave, and to
whom Francis had definitively promised the first
vacant cardinalate which had been left at his dis-
posal by the Pope.
The avarice of Louise de Savoie being as unsati-
able as her enmity, she was easily induced by the
offer of a considerable sum of money to address a
private letter to the pontiff; in which she declared
that the application about to be made to his holiness
by the French king in favour of the Bishop of Liege
was a mere measure of policy enforced upon him by
circumstances, while he was in reality anxious to
secure the coveted dignity for Boyer, Bishop of
Bourges, the brother of Thomas Bahier, Lieutenant-
general of Normandy and Treasurer of the Savings-
chest, one of her own creatures ; nor was she deterred
from this unworthy action by the fact that she had
been present when Francis placed in the possession
of the Marquis de Fleuranges a despatch to his
uncle, signed both by himself and his mother, in
320 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
which they informed M. de Liege of his promotion,
and congratulated him on his new dignity ; neither
did her hand tremble as it was pressed to the lips of
the young courtier on his departure from Amboise,
to convey the happy tidings to his venerable relative,
although she knew that he must prove the messenger
of lasting and bitter disappointment. Leo, never
doubting that Francis was cognizant of the contents
of his mother's letter, did not hesitate for an instant ;
Boyer was created cardinal ; and the price of this
nefarious transaction duly reached the coffers of the
unprincipled duchess.
Aleandro, 1 the Chancellor of Liege, who was then
at Rome, where he was exerting himself to secure
the election of his master, no sooner learnt that M.
de Bourges had obtained the cardinalate which had
been promised to his own diocesan by the king than,
apprehending treachery, he strained every nerve to
ascertain the truth ; and at length, through the
instrumentality of the pontifical secretary, he obtained
a copy of the letter addressed by Madame d'Angou-
leme to the Pope, which he immediately forwarded
to the Due de Gueldres. The indignation of Robert
de la Mark was unbounded when he learnt the de-
ception which had been practised upon his brother ;
and he reproached the monarch bitterly for so glar-
ing a breach of veracity and good faith, representing
1 Jeromio Aleandro was a celebrated Italian scholar, who had
been invited to France by Louis XII., by whom he was appointed
Professor of Literature in the University of Paris. He was subse-
quently chancellor to Evrard de la Mark, Prince-Bishop of Liege,
and ultimately became a cardinal during the pontificate of Paul III.
1 5 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 321
that he had already suffered sufficiently in his own
person and fortunes from some groundless prejudice,
and that it was a gratuitous injustice to involve his
relatives in the same ruin.
Deeply moved by an accusation which affected
his honour, Francis strenuously and at once denied
all knowledge of the intrigue, when the duke laid
before him the duplicate letter he had received
from Rome, and even hinted at his expectation
of redress, whereupon the king became irritated,
and high words passed between them, the effects
of which M. de la Mark evaded by retiring im-
mediately from the Court to his own territories,
accompanied by his brother ; and their arrival no
sooner became known to Margaret of Austria,
the regent, than she hastened to engage them to
embrace the cause of her nephew Charles, assuring
to M. de Liege the cardinal's hat through his in-
fluence, and urging the duke to return to Francis
the collar of St. Michael, and to trust to his new
master for the honours to which, by a career like
his, he was so justly entitled. Exasperated by the
treatment which they had received at the Court
of France, the brothers at once consented ; and
thus Francis not only lost two of his most zealous
adherents, but by the same fatal mistake strength-
ened the hands of his adversary.
The surprise of both Louise de Savoie and the
king was extreme when they learnt that M. de
Liege had actually deserted their cause ; as from
the fact that he held the bishopric of Chartres,
VOL. I 2 1
322 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xnr
one of the richest in France, they believed them-
selves secure of his allegiance, never supposing
that he would voluntarily resign so important and
valuable a benefice. They had, however, over-
looked the extent of the provocation he had re-
ceived, and discovered, when it was too late, that
where he had felt his honour wounded he scorned
to sacrifice his sense of dignity to considerations of
interest.
The defection of the princes of Bouillon tended,
moreover, greatly to diminish the zeal of Seckingen,
who, having been apprized that some German
traders had been grievously wronged by certain
Milanese merchants, at once adopted their quarrel,
and by force of arms seized property belonging
to the aggressors, valued at twenty- five thousand
francs, on its transit through the German states.
The merchants immediately appealed to Francis
for redress, complaining that they had been thus
pillaged by troops in his own pay ; whereupon the
king called upon Seckingen to declare upon what
authority he had coerced his good subjects of Milan,
and impeded their commerce ; to which the Ger-
man leader boldly replied by declaring that he had
only acted on this occasion in conformity with the
vow which he had made on first taking up arms,
that he would redress the wrongs of the oppressed,
and revenge them upon their oppressors. That
accordingly, as the German citizens had been
wronged, and were too weak to defend themselves,
he had done justice for them ; and trusted that
1 5 19 FRANCIS THE FIRST 323
in future the Milanese would know better than to
assume to themselves an impunity to which they
were in no wise entitled.
Francis was unable to brook the fearlessness
of such a reply ; and becoming apprehensive that
he had rather raised up an antagonist than secured
a friend in the person of an individual who thus
dared to brave his authority, he discontinued the
pension which he had conferred upon Seckingen,
who, finding himself freed by this impolitic measure
from his engagements to France, lost no time in
joining the Due de Gueldres and his brother, and
in transferring his services, as they had previously
done, to Charles of Spain, whose cause he mate-
rially assisted during the election by putting him-
self at the head of the Suabian troops (whom the
envoys of Francis had been improvident enough
to overlook until it was too late) and occupying
the neighbourhood of Frankfort ; pacifically to all
appearance, it is true, but in reality in readiness
for any adventure which might offer itself to his
quixotic spirit in the interest of his new master,
a fact which was so evident to the electors them-
selves that it was believed to have exerted con-
siderable power upon their decision.
An evil influence appeared, indeed, to preside
over all the movements of Francis at this period,
for alike by supineness and action he equally lost
ground ; while Charles, who was far too wary to
make enemies at such a juncture, held himself
prepared to take advantage of every circumstance
324 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xm
by which he might augment his popularity. The
German princes, ready as they were to profit by
the profuse generosity of the French king, were
yet revolted by the ostentation with which it was
proffered ; while the quiet and unobtrusive manner
in which Charles, with equal liberality, distributed
his treasure, enabled them to avoid the mortifica-
tion of considering that he had put a price upon
their services. Conscious, also, of the ambitious
character of Francis, they shrank from the idea
of elevating to the imperial dignity a monarch who
might hereafter consider them rather as vassals
than as sovereigns ; while, ignorant of the real
nature of Charles, they deluded themselves with
the belief that he would never seek to arrogate
to himself a greater amount of power than they
might be willing to concede to him.
When endeavouring to obtain the suffrage of
Henry VIII., Francis had expressed himself de-
termined to make war upon the Turks ; although,
as we have already shown, there is every reason
to believe that he never for an instant seriously
entertained such an idea. Suffice it that he had
assured Sir Thomas Boleyn, the English ambas-
sador, that, should he succeed in becoming Emperor
of Germany, " three years should not elapse ere
he would be in Constantinople, or die by the way ;
and that he would spend three millions in gold,
but he would succeed ; " but nevertheless, when
some Turkish corsairs who were infesting the
Mediterranean and impeding the commerce of the
1519 FRANCIS THE FIRST 325
Italian states were bold enough to make a demon-
stration which alarmed not only the population
generally, but even the Pope himself, he was so
tardy in fitting out an expedition to attack them
that, before his vessels were ready for sea, Charles
had despatched his galleys under the command of
Ugo de Moncada, 1 the Viceroy of Sicily, and dis-
persed their whole fleet. This delay on the part
of the French monarch, and activity on that of
Charles, had a powerful effect on the electors ; and,
beyond all doubt, gave the last blow to his hopes.
1 Ugo de Moncada was the representative of an ancient and
illustrious family of Catalonia, who were at one period sovereigns of
Beam. He first attached himself to the fortunes of Charles VIII.,
and subsequently to those of Caesar Borgia ; after which he entered
the Spanish army. He distinguished himself greatly against the
pirates of the Levant, and continued to render important services to
Charles V., while Viceroy of Sicily. Made prisoner by Andrea
Doria, in 1524, he recovered his liberty at the peace of Madrid.
He took Rome in 1527, and was killed in the following year, at the
naval engagement of Capo d'Orso.
CHAPTER XIV
1519-20
The electoral diet convened at Frankfort Death of M. de Boissy Charles
proclaimed Emperor of Germany Mortification of the French Ministers
Self-command of Francis Birth of a prince Henry VIII. becomes
his sponsor Progress of the Lutheran faith Louise de Savoie
establishes herself at the Tuileries Francis resolves to rebuild the
Louvre Bonnivet excites the king to enter upon a new war Francis
bribes Wolsey Henry and Francis arrange a personal interview The
Navarrese question is revived between the emperor and the French
king Critical position of Charles V. The field of cloth of gold
The banquet The treaty The tourney Fearlessness of Francis An
exchange of visits The two queens The parting mass Confirmation
of the treaty Departure of Henry VIII. for Gravelines Francis returns
to France.
THUS were things situated when, in the middle
of June, the electoral diet was convened in the
usual form in the city of Frankfort ; but, before
its proceedings commenced, Francis had sustained
an irreparable loss in the death of M. de Boissy,
his ancient governor, who had been busied at Mont-
pelier in conjunction with M. de Chievres, the
minister of Charles, in endeavouring to reconcile
the interests of the rival sovereigns, and thus pre-
serve Europe from the horrors of an universal
war. They had already been engaged for two
months in this momentous undertaking, and had
begun to entertain some hopes of ultimate success,
when M. de Boissy, who had long been an invalid,
1519-20 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I 327
experienced a renewed and more severe attack of
his malady, to which he fell a victim.
This event was a serious one to Francis, whose
natural impetuosity and recklessness had been fre-
quently checked by the wise and prudent admoni-
tions of the grand-master ; and at this particular
crisis it was doubly unfortunate, leaving him, as it
did, to the mercy of more interested and less
judicious counsellors ; and, above all, to the in-
fluence of his mother, who ere this period had
succeeded, with more or less difficulty, in bending
to her imperious will all the ministers of the crown
with the exception of Boissy himself, whose earnest
devotion to the interests of his former pupil ren-
dered him invulnerable alike to threats, bribes, and
flattery.
Nor was the death of M. de Boissy the only
fatal privation experienced by the young king
during the course of the present year, for the
veteran Leonardo da Vinci, a month or two sub-
sequently, terminated his earthly career at the ripe
age of seventy- five. Francis was affectionately
attached to his distinguished protegd, whom he had
loaded with honours, and he no sooner ascertained
that his end was approaching than he hastened
to the death -chamber. Da Vinci had just received
the last consolations of religion when he discovered
the presence of the king, and, despite his exhaus-
tion, he endeavoured to rise in his bed, in order
to express his sense of the favour which was thus
shown him ; but the effort was too great, and before
328 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
he had uttered more than a few sentences expres-
sive of his regret that he had not used his talents
more profitably for religion, he was seized with a
paroxysm which rendered him speechless. As he
fell back upon his pillow the king sprang forward
and raised his head upon his arm, and thus, upon
the bosom of the young monarch, Leonardo da
Vinci drew his last breath. The good effects of
his sojourn at the French Court did not, however,
expire with him. Although he had declined, owing
to his advanced age, to undertake any new work,
he had given public lessons and lectures which
had awakened an emulation in art destined to pro-
duce the most beneficial results ; and the three
famous artists, Cousin, Janet, and Limoges, were
alike his pupils.
Towards the close of June the diet at length
assembled, when the deliberations were opened by
the Archbishop of Mayence, who, in a speech ot
great length, consummate tact, and extraordinary
eloquence, pleaded the cause of Charles. He
argued that, should the electors invest Francis with
the imperial dignity, he would inevitably endeavour
to annihilate the liberties of Germany, even as he
was now endeavouring to subjugate those of Italy ;
and that he would also, beyond all doubt, exert his
influence to render the crown hereditary, and thus
aggrandize his successors by the prostration of the
privilege at present enjoyed by the electors. " How
little can it be expected," he pursued, " that he will
continue either to the princes or to the free terri-
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 329
tories the liberty they have so long enjoyed when
experience has shown us that even in France, where
formerly the great nobles dispensed justice and exe-
cuted judgment within their own provinces, not one.
princely personage is now to be found who does not
quail before the slightest gesture of the king, or who
dares do otherwise than applaud all which it may be
his royal pleasure to say or do." He next warned
the electors not to be misled by the promises of
the French ambassadors, who had stated that their
sovereign, immediately that he should have attained
the imperial crown, was prepared to direct the whole
strength of his kingdom against the Infidels, re-
minding them that an opportunity had recently
occurred in which he might have proved his good
faith and zeal in a cause so important to all Chris-
tendom, and in which he had failed, leaving to the
King of Castile, who had made no protestations
upon the subject, the noble task of sweeping the
seas of the first Mahomedan fleet which had dared
to menace the shores of Italy. "No!" he con-
cluded energetically, "it is not in order to subjugate
the Infidels that the King of France covets the
throne of Germany : it is that he may slake the
thirst of that ambition by which he is known to be
possessed. It is that he may secure alike to him-
self and to his children the proudest diadem in
Europe. It is, in short, that he may be enabled
through this accession of strength to possess himself
of the inheritance of Charles in the Low Countries
and Spain, and involve all Europe in a ruinous and
330 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
interminable war, which would be alike costly and
degrading to the German empire."
The Archbishop of Treves argued in reply that
the King of Castile was as thoroughly a foreigner
as Francis ; that he had been both born and edu-
cated in the Low Countries, and that, consequently,
the German people could have neither sympathies
nor prejudices in common with a prince of whose
habits, tastes, and tendencies they were wholly
ignorant. He laid, moreover, great stress upon the
fact that the geographical position of the French
king's dominions rendered him the most eligible
candidate for the imperial dignity, as France might
be conveniently united with both Germany and
Italy, and thus form a compact portion of the em-
pire ; whereas Spain, separated from Germany by
France, would necessarily oppose her national anti-
pathies to the common interest, and either refuse to
suffer her monarch to absent himself from her own
territories, or encourage his views of domination in
Italy, which were no less to be deprecated than
those of Francis.
It will be obvious, on reviewing the arguments
of both orators, that they were rather objective than
laudatory ; each found tangible reasons for opposing
his adversary, while neither could advance very
valid ones for supporting his own candidate ; and it
was probably from this cause that the electors, after
having patiently listened to the discussion, resolved
to maintain their independence by rejecting both,
and placing the imperial authority in the hands of
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 331
one of their own body. In pursuance of this de-
termination, the empire was offered, on the 4th of
July, to Frederic, Duke of Saxony, and it is certain
that the mental and moral qualifications of that
prince reflected honour on their judgment ; but
Frederic was too wise to indulge his ambition at the
expense of his true interests, and he at once felt
that he was not strong enough to brave the ani-
mosity of two powerful monarchs. He therefore
firmly withstood the temptation, recommending the
electors who had evinced such confidence in himself
to elevate to the imperial throne the grandson of
Maximilian, whose interests were identified with
those of Germany, and whose prompt courage and
judicious zeal had already been displayed in his late
expedition against their common enemy, the Infidel.
The King of Bohemia, the Marquis of Branden-
burg, and the Prelates of Cologne and Mayence
supported the proposition ; and ultimately, on the
5th of July, Charles was proclaimed Emperor of
Germany in the church of St. Barthelemy, by the
universal suffrages of the assembly.
A solemn embassy was despatched to Barcelona,
where Charles was then residing, to announce his
election, and to invite him to repair with all possible
speed to his new dominions ; greatly to the dis-
pleasure of his Spanish subjects, who had vainly
endeavoured to dissuade him from prosecuting his
attempts at empire, and who, being already irri-
tated by the authority arrogated by the Flemish
favourites of the monarch, very naturally anticipated
332 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
equal mortification from the Germans so soon as
Charles should find it necessary to his interests to
invest them with office, or to conciliate them by
honours and emoluments wrested from themselves.
The young monarch, however, disregarded their
arguments, and after having given the ambassadors
a magnificent reception, accepted the new dignity
with which he had been invested by the electoral
college, pledging himself religiously to observe the
conditions which were annexed to it.
While this ceremony was going forward in Spain
the French ministers hastened to return to their
own country, deeply mortified by their defeat, and
full of regret for the enormous sums which they had
so uselessly lavished. Bonnivet alone was still in
possession of some portion of the treasure which
had been confided to him, and he lost no time in
making his escape in order to place it in security a
precaution which proved to have been well-founded,
as it narrowly escaped falling into the hands of
Seckingen, who had organized a plan for possessing
himself of the state-chest, and diminishing the re-
sponsibility of the baffled favourite.
Francis bitterly felt his defeat. It was not alone
the loss of the empire which galled him, but the
conviction that he had been worsted by an adver-
sary whom he had been ill advised enough to de-
spise, because ignorant of his real character and
resources. Now, however, he was at once made
aware of his error ; the skilful measures and quiet
perseverance of Charles had triumphed over his
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 333
own profusion and previsions ; and in their first
struggle for pre-eminence he had been signally
worsted. Nevertheless, stung as he was, he dis-
dained to betray the excess of his mortification and
disappointment ; and he even controlled his real
feelings so far as to write to the Pope at the close
of the election, declaring that he rejoiced to have
failed in a chimerical project which had been put
into his head by certain of the German princes,
particularly as he had ascertained from his uncle,
M. de Savoie, that it was most unpalatable to his
subjects, who were apprehensive that the obliga-
tions which would have been imposed on him, had
he succeeded, would have interfered, with the in-
terests of France.
On the 3ist of March in this year (1519) the
queen had given birth to a second son, at St. Ger-
main -en- Laye, and Francis had, in anticipation of
the event, already instructed Sir Richard Wingfield
to solicit Henry VIII., in the event of his hope being
realized by the birth of a prince, to stand sponsor
for the child, and to give him his own name.
To this proposition Henry at once acceded, and
the ceremony was performed on the 4th of June,
Sir Thomas Boleyn officiating as proxy for his
sovereign, in conjunction with the Due d'Alencpn
and the Duchesse de Nemours. At the termina-
tion of the baptismal service Francis expressed to
the English ambassador his sense of the great
honour which had been conferred upon him by the
"king's highnesse," and the gratification which he
334 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
should feel when, in his turn, Henry should become
the father of a son, to do the like for him ; de-
claring that meanwhile the child who now bore his
name should no sooner have attained to an age
qualifying him for such a privilege than he would
forthwith send him to the king's grace in England
to do him service.
The Lutheran party had profited by the late in-
terregnum to increase their influence and to propa-
gate their dogmas, which they had been enabled to
do with little molestation. It is true that Maximilian
had endeavoured near the close of his life to suppress
the new sect, from which he began to apprehend
danger ; but the two vicars of the empire, the Duke
of Saxony and the Elector Palatine, who assumed
the imperial authority immediately after his death,
had already become converts to the reformed tenets,
and protected Luther from all persecution ; while
Charles, who owed his new dignity to the former,
whose German territories were not safe from the
incursions of the Turks, and who already detected
the germs of revolt in Spain, wilfully closed his eyes
to the religious troubles in Saxony, and left the care
of suppressing them to the Pope. As the imme-
diate interests of the French king were not, how-
ever, involved in the controversy, we shall abstain
from a recapitulation of circumstances already fami-
liar to all our readers, which have been repeatedly
detailed much more ably than we could hope to relate
them, and confine ourselves to matters more strictly
within our own province.
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 335
Early in this year Louise de Savoie, finding her-
self inconvenienced by the closeness of the apart-
ments which she occupied in the palace of the
Tournelles during her occasional residence in the
capital, had induced her son to purchase for her a
residence on the banks of the Seine with an exten-
sive garden, and commanding the most varied and
delightful views of the surrounding country ; in
exchange for which the proprietor, Nicolas de Neu-
ville, Seigneur de Villeray, received the estate of
Chanteloup near Montlhery. Large sums of money
were expended on the embellishment of this house,
where Francis frequently visited his mother, and
where he indulged that passion for magnificence for
which he had always been distinguished. Costly
hangings of Flanders tapestry, inlaid furniture,
panelled mirrors, and vessels of gold and silver,
were to be seen on every side ; and such was the
origin of the palace of the Tuileries, which Catherine
de' Medici subsequently converted at once into a
royal abode and a national monument. The young
king was so enchanted by the capabilities of the
spot that he forthwith resolved to rebuild the Louvre,
a work which he accordingly commenced, but of
which he was not destined to do more than lay the
foundation.
Meanwhile he found it agreeable to escape from
the gloomy apartments of his own palace, or from
the rigid circle of his wife, to wander over the
smooth lawns and among the dense shrubberies of
the gardens of the Tuileries with the bright-eyed
336 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
and light-headed ladies of the more indulgent
duchess ; to glide over the calm current of the
Seine in a gilded barge, with Madame de Chateau-
briand by his side ; or to angle under the shade of a
silken pavilion, while Marot 1 recited to him his last
new poem or eulogized the somewhat indifferent
effusions of the monarch himself, who, believing
that he could at will become a poet, as he imagined
that he had already become a scholar, was constantly
amusing himself by the composition of lyrical and
amatory verses, which, as a matter of course,
delighted the whole Court.
It is probable that the jealousy which existed
between the new emperor and the King of France
might have slumbered for a time had not the death
of M. de Boissy occurred at so unfortunate a
moment ; for, conscious how much the nation had
already become impoverished by the Milanese ex-
pedition and the contest for the imperial crown, that
upright and prudent minister had left no measure
untried to dissuade Francis from undertaking a new
war. The people already murmured at the increased
taxation which these speculations had rendered im-
1 Clement Marot was born at Cahors in 1495, an d succeeded his
father Jehan Marot as valet-de-chambre to Francis I., whom he accom-
panied to the battle of Pavia. Being accused of heresy^he was im-
prisoned, but afterwards liberated by the Queen of Navarre. He
was one of the most correct and elegant of the French prose writers,
and the first poet of his day. His Epistle to Francis I., his Rondeaux,
his Sonnets, his Epigrams, his Elegies, and his Ballads, have obtained
for him a lasting reputation. His Translation of the Psalms of
David, continued by M. de Beze, were long used in the Protestant
churches. He also wrote a poem entitled Hell, which was a biting
satire upon the legal profession. He died in 1544.
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 337
perative ; and while Duprat, anxious at once to
enrich himself and Madame d'Angouleme, affected
to believe that the nation still possessed many
resources which would suffice to meet any new
demand upon its revenues, Gouffier de Boissy
looked with a steady eye at present discontents, and
foresaw the moment when the sovereign would come
into a contact with his overburthened people which
might prove fatal to both. The outlay of the Court
was in itself excessive ; but with the prescience of a
wary statesman he preferred to encourage an evil
to which he felt that he could apply a remedy rather
than weakly to permit a greater which it might be
beyond his skill to counteract ; and thus during his
life he had been enabled by the great influence he
possessed over the king to keep his belligerent
tastes in check, and to make him comprehend and
appreciate the perils upon which he was so eager to
rush.
His death, however, opened the floodgates of the
king's ambition, or rather removed the dam by which
it had been hitherto pent in ; and Francis found in
the arguments of Bonnivet, who panted for revenge
upon Charles, and whose romantic imagination found
adequate food only in conquest and victory, in his
mother, who was anxious for the aggrandizement of
her son, and who never permitted herself to dream
of failure, and in the entreaties of Madame de
Chateaubriand, who for the moment coincided in
the sentiments of Louise de Savoie, because she
trusted in the event of a war to see her third brother,
VOL. I 22
338 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
Lespare, acquire high military rank, more than the
incentives which he required to recommence a
struggle that must necessarily involve all the highest
interests of his kingdom.
He no sooner determined upon hostilities toward
his victorious rival than he first turned his thoughts
to England. He was united to Henry VIII. by
close and intimate bonds. The British monarch had
not only affianced his daughter to the dauphin, but
he had also become sponsor to the younger French
prince ; and although he had maintained a sullen
neutrality during the struggle for empire, Francis
either felt or affected to feel that he had been as
much injured as himself by the result of the election,
and consequently spared no pains to inspire him
with the same sentiments. Moreover, he was urged
to this policy by a desire to put his Belgian frontiers
into an efficient state of defence, and, above all, to
prevent an alliance between Henry and Charles,
which must have destroyed the balance of power in
Europe. He was aware that the noble hostages
whom he had delivered over to England were un-
wearied in their endeavours to effect a still closer
alliance between himself and his brother monarch,
and that they were constantly assuring Henry that
he required only a personal knowledge of their own
sovereign to render them firm allies ; and he lost no
time in strengthening their arguments by using
every means in his power to secure the goodwill of
Wolsey, whose anxiety to attain to the papacy made
him on his side desirous of gaining the friendship of
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 339
such of the continental princes as were the most
likely to forward his design.
To attain this end Francis lavished upon the
English minister the most costly gifts and the most
magnificent promises, all of which were received in
a manner which served to strengthen his hopes, and
to buoy him up with an anticipation of ultimate
success ; while the cardinal, who never suffered
himself to be misled by present advantages, was
calmly weighing in his mind the probable results of
the impending struggle, and at length came to the
conclusion that the Emperor of Germany must ere
long command more influence at the Court of Rome
than the King of France. Henry, however, it is
certain, had more personal sympathies with Francis
than with his rival. They were of the same age,
were addicted to the same pleasures, and swayed by
the same impulses ; and thus, unsuspicious that the
gold and the pledges of Charles to his ambitious and
avaricious minister had already outweighed those of
the French king, he was induced to consent to the
celebrated interview between Francis and himself
which the former had suggested to Sir Thomas
Boleyn at the christening of his son.
Meanwhile there existed many causes for discon-
tent between the emperor and the King of France.
Charles had failed to fulfil his engagement relative
to the kingdom of Navarre, despite the pledge which
he had given at Noyon. Both the king and queen,
Jean and Catherine, were dead ; while their son
Henry II., at this period only fifteen years of age,
340 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
was the ward of Alain Albret, his uncle, and resided
in the French provinces, the only territories he had
inherited from his father, who had held the kingdom
of Navarre by right of his wife, and who, when he
demanded the restoration of the Spanish portion of
the country, was opposed by the minister Chievres,
who negatived the claim of Germaine de Foix,
declaring that she had made a donation of it to
Ferdinand, the grandfather of Charles. This ar-
rangement had for a time been admitted by France,
but on the second marriage of the dowager-queen
the parliament of Paris had declared the donation to
be no longer valid, and had admitted the right of
Henry II. to the succession. Not satisfied with
denying this claim, the emperor had at the same
time revived all the old discontents of his ancestors
against the predecessors of the French king ; and
while he contested the right of Francis to the
Milanese, he also insisted on the restoration of the
duchy of Burgundy, which he declared to have been
unjustly wrested from his grandmother Mary, the
daughter of Charles the Bold ; while in reply to
these demands Francis once more renewed his own to
the kingdom of Naples, which Ferdinand had usurped
from Louis XII., and reclaimed the homage which
was due to him from Charles as Count of Flanders.
Nevertheless, bitter as the contention soon be-
came, the young emperor shrank from the responsi-
bility which must be entailed upon him by a new
and doubtful war. Every province of Spain was in
partial revolt, the Germans were full of discontent,
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 341
and he had been so long absent from the Low
Countries that he began to feel his influence even
there on the decline ; while Francis, although he
had less reason for uneasiness, suffered himself so
weakly to be engrossed by pleasure and dissipation
that he also lost the favourable moment and lavished
the immense sums which were extorted from the
people under the pretence of state emergencies in
the most puerile and senseless outlay.
Thus were things situated when preparations
were commenced for the interview between Henry
and Francis which had been at length agreed upon,
and they were of so costly a description that they
were not terminated until the spring of the following
year (1520). The French king, who was more
anxious to accomplish a lasting alliance with his
brother monarch than to enter into a rivalry of mag-
nificence, had, as it would appear from a letter still
extant, addressed by Sir Richard Wingfield to
Cardinal Wolsey, been desirous on this occasion to
dispense with all save the necessary ceremonial.
Aware that his oft-replenished treasury would not
do more than suffice for the war which he meditated,
he even controlled his natural love of splendour and
display so far as to suggest to the English courtier
that Henry and himself should meet rather as fast
friends than as rival sovereigns ; but the suggestion
was overruled both by Henry VIII. and his minister,
the former being anxious to dazzle Francis by his
profusion, and the latter to impress him with a sense
of his own importance.
342 THE COURT .AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
Piqued by the indifference displayed on the part
of the English monarch to an outlay from which he
had himself shrunk, Francis accordingly indulged in
the most lavish expenditure ; while in emulation of
their sovereign all the nobles of his Court, im-
poverished though many of them were by the late
struggle at Frankfort, vied with each other in an
uncalculating profusion which was destined to cripple
their resources for many subsequent years. " The
great outlay that was made," says Du Bellay,
" cannot be estimated, but many carried their mills,
their forests, and their meadows upon their backs."
The details of the ceremony were entirely
regulated by Wolsey, such having been the pro-
position of Francis, who hoped by this display of
confidence further to conciliate the haughty min-
ister ; and they were arranged with a punctilious
minuteness which savoured more of suspicion than
of that friendship and goodwill which each monarch
professed for the other. It was decided that the
meeting should take place on the boundary of the
English possessions in France, in requital of the
courtesy, or rather as an equivalent for the con-
descension of Henry in having crossed the channel
to effect it ; and ultimately an open plain was
selected situate between Giiisnes and Ardres. But,
before the two sovereigns met, Charles, anxious to
weaken any favourable impression which might be
produced on the mind of Henry VIII. by a per-
sonal interview with the French king, resolved,
when on his way from Spain to Aix-la-Chapelle,
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 343
where he was to be invested with the imperial
crown, to visit England, under the pretext of a
desire to present his respects to Katherine of
Aragon, his aunt, whom he had never seen. Henry
was already on his way to Dover when the intel-
ligence of the emperor's arrival reached him, and
he immediately despatched the Cardinal -minister
with a brilliant retinue to give him welcome. A
dead calm which had delayed the arrival of Charles
in the port compelled him to have recourse to his
boats, and it was only towards evening that he was
enabled to land, when he was met by the reverend
envoy, who greeted him in the name of his royal
master, and received him with all the honour due to
his exalted rank.
The disembarkation was conducted with extreme
magnificence. The emperor moved forward under
a canopy on which the black eagle was displayed
upon a ground of cloth of gold, followed by a train
of princes, princesses, and nobles, splendidly attired;
and in this state he proceeded to the castle, where a
sumptuous banquet was served, amid the acclama-
tions of the multitude who had collected to witness
the landing.
While at Canterbury the king was apprized of
the fact that Charles had already reached Dover
castle ; upon which he again mounted in all haste,
travelled by torchlight, and arrived at the castle
towards midnight with his train of attendants,
creating so much disturbance as to awaken the
emperor, who, upon being informed of its cause,
344 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
immediately left his bed and, flinging his mantle
about him, hastened to meet his royal host, whom
he encountered upon the stairs, where, says the
old chronicler, " eche embraced other right lou-
ingly," and the king conducted the emperor back
to his apartment, conversing gaily with him, and
welcoming him heartily to England.
On the Whitsunday following the two sovereigns
rode together to Canterbury, where they were re-
ceived by the queen at the head of her Court,
composed of all that was fairest and noblest in the
realm; and ultimately, on the 3ist of May, the
imperial visitor, having succeeded in ingratiating
himself with Henry, weakened the interest felt by
the English monarch for Francis, and arranged a
future meeting in which their several interests were
to be discussed and united, took leave of the king
and queen with the most emphatic and courteous
expressions of gratitude and regard, and, profiting
by a favourable wind, once more embarked for
Flanders.
Charles had, moreover, during this brief sojourn
in England, effected more than even Henry was
aware of; for, conscious that the English monarch
was ruled by the cardinal in all matters of state
policy, he had lost no opportunity of impressing
upon him the great admiration which he felt for his
talents, and his desire to secure the friendship of
one who he foresaw would ere long fill the most
sacred throne in Europe ; while these honied words
were accompanied by promises so unreserved, and
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 345
by presents so magnificent, that the vanity and
cupidity of the minister soon rendered him as
anxious to serve the interests of the emperor as he
had previously declared himself desirous to further
those of Francis. His insatiable ambition, which
ever pointed to the triple crown, blinded him to his
bad faith ; and while Charles expatiated on his
determination to second his views by every means
within his power, a promise which he made the
more readily from the fact that Leo X. being still
in the prime of life it was improbable that he
should for many years be called upon to redeem
his pledge, Wolsey, as he listened, became a con-
vert to all his views, and readily undertook to
negative the attempts of the French king to secure
an alliance with his master.
The intelligence of this extraordinary and un-
looked-for visit excited the apprehensions of Francis,
who had already become aware that Charles made
no important movement without a corresponding
motive ; and he accordingly hastened to complete
his preparations, in order to counteract as speedily
as possible the evil influence which had been
exerted against him.
In preparation for the meeting the French king
had caused three buildings to be erected, two of
which were of solid materials, and within the walls
of the town. The first was appropriated to the
queen and the ladies of her suite, and the other
to the state banquets which were to be given to
Henry and his Court ; while a third, without the
346 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
walls, was built in the form of a Roman coliseum,
the chambers, saloons, and galleries being of wood
on a foundation of stone, and the whole covered
in with cloth. Moreover, as the two monarchs had
agreed to meet in the plain, Francis also prepared
tents and pavilions of the most magnificent descrip-
tion. The more costly of these were hung with
cloth of gold, draped within and without in every
compartment, and others were of plain cloth of gold,
or cloth of gold and silver interwoven. They were
all surmounted, moreover, by devices or globes of
the same precious materials, save that of the king
himself, over which, in order to distinguish it from
the rest, was placed a figure of St. Michael of
beaten gold ; " but," says Fleuranges, with his
accustomed persiflage, "it was hollow."
All this magnificence was, however, even upon
the testimony of the French courtier himself,
eclipsed by the solitary, and, in so far as externals
went, inferior edifice prepared for Henry, and
which was erected at the gates of Guisnes, near
the castle. It was an immense square building,
composed simply of wood, canvas, and glass ; but
the latter was used with such profusion that one
portion of the colossal pile resembled a gigantic
lantern, a luxury which at that period created great
astonishment. The whole structure formed a quad-
rangle of princely proportions, enclosing a court,
in the centre of which, and facing the principal
entrance, were two fine fountains, each of which
had three jets, playing hypocras, water, and wine
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 347
into spacious basins. The chapel, which was of
imposing size, and richly hung with tapestry, was
adorned with the most costly plate and the most
valuable relics ; while the cellars and butteries were
worthy of the building to which they appertained,
both kings welcoming all comers, and vying with
each other in an hospitality that was boundless.
What most excited the admiration of the French
was, however, the fact that this enormous edifice
had been constructed entirely in England, and
brought over piecemeal ; and that, while from the
circumstance of its being entirely covered with
canvas painted to resemble stonework, and lined
throughout with tapestry, it had an appearance of
solidity which would have deceived the eye into a
belief that it was intended to endure for centuries,
the two kings had no sooner parted than it was
once more disjointed, re- embarked, and conveyed
back to England, "without any cost," as Du Bellay
expresses it, " save that of the carriage."
The arrangements made for the two queens and
their respective suites were gorgeous in the ex-
treme ; pearls and jewels were lavished not only
upon the canopies above their chairs of state, but
also upon the very footcloths by which they were
approached ; while their garments were of piled
velvet, or cloth of gold and silver, embroidered
with gems and coloured silks in large masses, or
Lyons damasks, studded with silver stars, or tra-
versed by broad bars of gold. Nor were the fair
and noble ladies by whom they were attended much
348 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
less magnificently attired than themselves; although,
as a contemporary chronicler declares, the " English
dames wore the richest and the costliest habits, but
the French ones arranged theirs with more taste
and elegance, so that their visitors soon began to
adopt the mode of the country, by which they lost
in modesty what they gained in comeliness."
It is to be supposed that the ladies of Claude's
rigid circle were not among those against whom this
reproach was registered.
At length the important day of meeting was
decided on, and the ceremonial savoured at once of
the suspicion and arrogance of the cardinal-minister,
who, amid the pompous display which he had induced
Henry to make, had been even more mindful of his
own dignity than that of his master ; his train of
bishops, priests, deacons, pages, and men-at-arms
being rather that of a sovereign-prince than of any
subject, however elevated his rank.
It was arranged that the king of England should
advance half a mile beyond the Castle of Guisnes,
towards Ardres, but still within his own territories,
where he should halt in the open plain ; and that the
French monarch should progress precisely the same
distance from Ardres towards the same spot, at the
same day and hour, which would bring him within
the limits of Henry's domain of Guisnes. " In the
whiche," proceeds Hall, generally so punctiliously
correct in his details, "there shall not bee set nor
dressed any pauillions or tentes, and there the said
twoo kinges beyinge on horsebacke, with their re-
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 349
tinue, shall se the one thother, and salute eche other,
and speake together familiarly and common in that
sort and maner, and so long as shall seme to them
good."
Herein, however, he has committed an error, as
both Du Bellay and Fleuranges assert that a pavilion
had been expressly erected for the interview, into
which the two sovereigns were to adjourn after they
had exchanged compliments and congratulations.
Warning guns having been fired from both Ardres
and Guisnes, the rival processions set forward at the
same instant ; Francis mounted upon a splendid
horse, whose housings flashed in the sunlight like
living fire, so thickly were they studded with precious
stones and gold, and followed by all the chivalry of
France. The suspicious jealousy of Wolsey had
determined him, however, to regulate the number of
attendants by whom the two sovereigns were to be
severally accompanied to the tent of audience ; and
he decided upon two on either side, while he himself,
as minister of England, and Robertet as that of
France, should await them at the entrance. The
nobles selected by Francis to be present at the inter-
view were the Connetable de Bourbon and the
Chancellor Duprat, while Henry conferred the same
honour upon the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Francis arrived first upon the field, but in a few
instants the English king appeared at about the dis-
tance of an arrow's flight, riding a Spanish charger
of great strength and beauty, and magnificently
caparisoned. Here the English party suddenly
350 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
paused, Lord Abergavenny assuring the king that
the number of the French exceeded that of his own
followers, as he had ascertained from having already
been among them ; when the Earl of Shrewsbury,
angered at so puerile a terror, hastened in his turn
to put an end to a delay which, if not absolutely
suspicious, was at least discourteous, by declaring
that he also had paid a visit to the rival camp.
" And, sir," he said firmly, " the Frenchmen are
more in fear of your grace and of your subjects than
your subjects are of them ; wherefore, if I might
venture to offer my opinion, I would counsel your
highness to proceed."
" So we intend, my lord," was the instant reply of
Henry ; whereupon the officers-at-arms gave the
word: "On, afore!" and once more the glittering
cavalcade was in motion towards the bank of the
Adern, where every noble and gentleman fell into
his proper place, and the whole party halted with
their faces towards the valley.
The Due de Bourbon, as Connetable of France,
bore his drawn sword in front of his sovereign, which
Henry VIII. no sooner remarked than he desired
the Marquis of Dorset, who carried his own sword
of state, to unsheathe it in like manner ; and this
done, the monarchs rode into the valley, where they
at length met face to face at the head of two of the
most brilliant assemblages of nobility which had ever
been seen in Europe. For a brief instant both
paused, as they surveyed each other with astonish-
ment and admiration ; for they were at that period,
ENGRAVED BYPERM1SSION FROM THE ORIGINAL PICTURE IN THE COURT
AT ST BARTHOLOMEWS HOSPITAL.
I5I9-2Q FRANCIS THE FIRST 351
beyond all parallel, the two most comely princes in
Christendom. Francis was the taller and the more
slender of the two, and was attired in a vest of cloth
of silver damasked with gold, and edged with a bor-
der of embossed work in party-coloured silks. Over
this he wore a cloak of brocaded satin, with a scarf
of gold and purple crossing over one shoulder, and
buttoned to the waist, richly set with pearls and pre-
cious stones ; while his long hair escaped from
beneath a coif of damasked gold set with diamonds,
and gave him a noble and graceful appearance,
which his splendid horsemanship and handsome
although strongly defined features, his bushy whis-
kers, and ample moustache, tended to enhance.
Henry, on his side, wore a vest of crimson velvet
slashed with white satin, and buttoned down the
chest with studs composed of large and precious
jewels ; and his round velvet toque or hat was sur-
mounted by a profuse plume which floated on the
wind, save where it was confined by a star of bril-
liants. His figure, although more bulky than that
of his brother monarch, was still well-proportioned ;
his movements were elastic and unembarrassed, and
his face was attractive from the frankness of its ex-
pression, the singular brightness of his eyes, and the
luxuriance of his hair and beard, which he wore in a
dense fringe beneath his chin, and which was at that
period less red than golden.
The mutual scrutiny of the two young sovereigns
lasted only a moment ; in the next they were in each
other's arms, each straining from the saddle to em-
352 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
brace his brother monarch. The horse of Henry
swerved for an instant, impatient of the impediment,
but the hand of Francis firmly grasped the rein
which its rider had suffered to escape him ; and after
a renewed exchange of courtesies the attendant
equerries were summoned to hold the stirrups of
their royal masters as they alighted. On gaining
their feet the two kings exchanged another embrace ;
and then, arm-in-arm, they proceeded to the pavilion
of audience, followed each by his selected witnesses.
On their entrance the Lord-Cardinal of York was
presented to Francis, and M. de Robertet to the
English king, during which time the whole of the
respective guards and retinues halted at the entrance
of the camp, about a stone's throw from the pavilion ;
comprising, besides the train of nobles on either side,
four hundred body-guards in state uniforms. Nor
had they cause of weariness as they awaited the
royal leisure, for as they reined up their horses
beside the barrier the whole magnificence of the
camp burst upon them, with its frail but costly tene-
ments gleaming in the sun like some fairy creation,
and winning by its gorgeousness the admiration of
the spectators, and the enduring appellation of The
Field of Cloth of Gold.
A splendid banquet had been prepared for the
princely guests ; and as they pledged each other in
the generous wine of the country, Francis, grasping
the hand of his royal companion, said courteously
and emphatically " Thus far, with some fatigue,
my dear brother and cousin, have I travelled in
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 353
order to enjoy a personal interview with you ; and I
think that you will put faith in my sincerity when I
say that I believe you esteem me on your side, and
feel convinced of my readiness as well as ability to
aid you should need be ; which my kingdom and my
principalities will alike enable me to do."
" Sir," replied Henry with equal suavity and
emphasis, " I regard not either your realm or its
dependencies, but rather the steadfast and loyal ob-
servance of the treaties into which we have con-
jointly entered ; and should you strictly observe
these, then do I not hesitate to affirm that my eyes
have never looked upon a prince whom my heart
could better love ; and glad I am that in order to
secure your affection I was induced not only to cross
the seas but also to ride to the farthermost boundary
of my kingdom in order to meet you here."
These courteous speeches exchanged, and the
banquet removed, the articles of the proposed treaty
were laid before the sovereigns by their respective
ministers ; upon which the English king drew the
papers towards him, and began by reading aloud
those containing the propositions of Francis ; and
these concluded he opened his own, and was com-
mencing, " I, Henry, King of " The document
ran, " King of France and England," but he at once
felt the futility and impropriety of such an assump-
tion on the present occasion, and suddenly pausing,
he looked with a smile towards his royal auditor and
said gaily, " I shall not insert all that I see here, for
as you are present, I should lie." After which he
VOL.I 23
354 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
resumed his task, saying steadily, "I, Henry, King
of England " and then continued without further
interruption to the close of the document.
" And well drawn-up and written were those
articles," says Fleuranges, "had they only been ob-
served."
This important labour accomplished, the two
sovereigns decided upon the spot where the lists
and scaffoldings should be erected for a tournament,
being alike resolved to spend the time which they
should pass together in pleasure and amusement ;
leaving their respective councillors to negotiate all
public business, and to report to them each evening
the progress they had made towards a mutual accept-
ance of the terms of the treaty. This being finally
agreed, they parted with mutual expressions of affec-
tion and regard ; and while Francis returned to
Ardres, Henry rode back into the town of Guisnes,
where he passed the night, reserving the monster
building we have described for the exigencies of the
day.
At the fall of evening Cardinal Wolsey, accom-
panied by one of the English members of council,
waited upon the French king by desire of his master,
to arrange measures by which they might frequently
meet without distrust or apprehension on either side ;
and it was finally settled that the kings should fete
the queens, and the queens the kings ; and thus
when Henry should arrive at Ardres to visit the
Queen of France, Francis, previously apprized of
his intention, should at the same moment set forth
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 355
for Guisnes to share the hospitality of the Queen of
England ; by which means each would become hos-
tage for the other.
All that was requisite when this irksome and
ungracious matter had been decided on was to pre-
pare for the tourney, which had been appointed for
the following morning. A large space was accord-
ingly enclosed by rails and ditches, beside which
platforms were erected for the spectators ; and at
one end a lofty mound was raised, upon which a
hawthorn tree and a raspberry bush, intended to re-
present the devices of the two kings, were conspicu-
ously displayed. On the right side of the lists a
velvet canopy was erected, under which the queens
were seated with a numerous train of ladies, all
richly attired, and awaiting with impatience the
commencement of the sports. At the principal
entrance of the enclosure were two lodges, appro-
priated to the knights who guarded the barrier ; and
beside these were two spacious cellars, which were
amply provided with wine for the refreshment of all
comers.
As the sovereigns entered the arena their re-
spective shields were attached to the symbolic trees
upon the mount ; and the young monarchs, at the
head of their noble followers, then engaged in the
warlike pastime, and encountered all combatants
who presented themselves ; when many a rude
combat took place, as was to be expected where the
flower of the youth and chivalry of the two first
nations in Europe met to sustain the honour of
356 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
their several countries. These sports continued for
twelve or fifteen days, and were diversified by balls,
banquets, and other festivities in which the sister-
queens and their ladies could bear a part ; but long
before their cessation Francis, whose open and
generous spirit was vexed by the suspicious and
unnecessary restraints which had been put upon a
free and unconstrained intercourse between the two
Courts, rose one morning at an unusually early hour,
and, accompanied only by two gentlemen and a page,
mounted an ungroomed horse, and with no other
preparation than that of throwing a Spanish cloak
across his shoulders, galloped over to the castle of
Ardres to pay a visit to the English king.
When he reached the drawbridge the guards,
astonished by such an apparition, were at a loss
how to act ; and the governor of the citadel who
was stationed at the spot with two hundred archers
was even more amazed than his men. As the young
monarch passed among them he laughingly com-
manded them to surrender, declaring that he in-
tended to make all the garrison prisoners ; after
which he desired to be shown to the chamber of
Henry, and despite the remonstrance of the bewil-
dered governor, who ventured to suggest that his
royal master still slept, he knocked loudly at the
door, awoke his brother potentate, and entered.
The English monarch was as much amazed as his
men-at-arms by this bold proceeding ; but meeting
his visitor in the same spirit he raised himself in his
bed and said joyously, " Brother, you have played
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 357
me the cleverest trick that one man could do to
another, and have shown me the whole extent of
the confidence which I ought to place in you ; as
for myself, I surrender at discretion, and am your
prisoner from this moment."
As he spoke he unclasped a collar from his neck
valued at fifteen thousand angels, and placed it in
the hand of Francis, praying him to accept and
wear it for the love of his captive ; whereupon
Francis, who had already designed to offer a pledge
of friendship to his new ally at this their first uncon-
strained meeting, unclasped from his wrist a bracelet
of twice the same amount, and besought him to
receive it as a token of the love he bore him. The
exchange was frankly made ; and while Henry fast-
ened the costly manacle upon his arm his visitor
adjusted the collar about his neck ; after which,
amid laughter and jests, the English king sprang
from his bed, and was assisted at his toilette by his
unbidden but welcome guest, who declared that for
that day at least he should have no other attendant ;
and when with infinite merriment the one had ten-
dered, and the other had accepted, his services,
Francis took leave in order to return to Ardres,
despite the entreaties of Henry, who would have
detained him in order to prepare for the joust of the
afternoon.
On his way back to his own camp Francis en-
countered a number of his nobles who had come to
meet him, alarmed for his safety ; and among the
foremost was Fleuranges, who reproached him bit-
358 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
terly for the unnecessary peril in which he had placed
himself; but the young king only jested at their
uneasiness, declaring that henceforward the two
nations would be better friends than ever, and them-
selves enabled to enjoy with a higher zest the plea-
sures by which they were surrounded ; a prediction
whose correctness was confirmed on the following
morning, when Henry returned the visit of his
brother monarch in the same manner in which it
had been made ; and after a new interchange of
presents and professions, rode home in his turn to
Guisnes without guard or weapon.
Meanwhile the two queens profited even more
greatly than their royal consorts by this well-con-
ceived confidence ; for, although they had felt a
mutual esteem from the first moment in which they
met, their intercourse had hitherto been constrained
and ceremonious ; whereas after this exchange of
visits they found themselves at once released from
the trammels of etiquette and caution, and were
enabled to cultivate each other's society without
impediment. The gratification was great on both
sides, for each was well able to appreciate the other.
It is true that at this period the unfortunate Kathe-
rine of Aragon was still happy in the love of her
husband, while Claude was already a neglected wife ;
but the gentle melancholy of the English queen, a
melancholy which almost seemed a foretaste of the
future, harmonised well with the heart-stricken
sadness of her new friend. The one was already
sated with gaud and glitter, and the other had never
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 359
loved them. The happiest hours which they passed
together were consequently those when they could
converse freely and confidentially. Both were
mothers, and both also had lost some of the fair
children whom they had borne, in their first infancy;
thus they never needed a subject of sympathy and
interest, but as they mutually mingled their tears
and communicated their sorrows, those sorrows of
the heart which torture alike the lofty head that
wears a royal diadem and the lowly brow that is
shaded by a linen coif, their esteem grew into
friendship, and they anticipated with regret the
hour of their separation.
Nor did the nobles and ladies of the two Courts
fail to profit by the cordiality which existed between
their respective monarchs. All distrust had vanished,
and they mingled freely with each other, frequently
even passing the night in the rival city, and careless
in what number or in what guise they came and
went.
To the tournament succeeded wrestling matches,
in which the English proved the victors ; and to
these again archery, at which noble pastime Henry
VIII. himself distanced all competitors, and as-
tonished those who witnessed his feats, both by his
strength and skill. At the close of the day's sport
the two kings retired to their pavilion, where, after
they had pledged each other, Henry, elated by his
success, suddenly seized Francis by the collar, ex-
claiming, " Come, brother, I must have a fall with
you," when the King of France, who was an able
360 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xiv
wrestler, after a short struggle threw him with great
force. On regaining his legs Henry would fain
have renewed the attack, but some of the nobles of
both countries, who were more prudent than their
masters, dissuaded him from the attempt ; and, still
with undiminished cordiality, the two monarchs sat
down together at the supper-table.
Nothing appears, indeed, more creditable to both
parties than the perfect order, courtesy, and good
temper exhibited on either side throughout the
whole of the exciting sports in which they were
engaged. No single misunderstanding marred the
harmony of the two Courts ; while this perfect good-
feeling extended even to the men-at-arms, who vied
with their leaders in acts of reciprocal cordiality and
kindness.
During the tournament the King of England
gave a grand banquet to Francis and his Court in
the temporary palace without the gates of Guisnes,
where no magnificence was spared to do honour to
his royal and noble guests. The two kings were
seated side by side in the centre of the upper table,
while their queens occupied the space immediately
in front of them ; the English cardinal having a
stool on the right hand of Francis, and the Conne-
table de Bourbon a similar place of honour on the
left of the English king. On the following day
Francis played the host. He had caused to be
erected for the occasion, also without the walls of
Guisnes, a splendid pavilion fifty feet square, covered
and draped with cloth of gold, and lined with blue
1519-20 FRANCIS THE FIRST 361
velvet, studded with fleurs-de-lis embroidered in
Cyprus gold, having four smaller pavilions at the
angles similarly adorned ; the whole supported by
ropes of gold Cyprus thread and blue silk. But this
costly erection was not fated to answer the purpose
for which it had been intended, a sudden storm of
wind having arisen which wrenched away the tent-
pins, broke the cords, and overthrew the whole
fabric. Orders were instantly issued to prepare
another banquet hall with all speed in one of the
faubourgs of the town ; and this was accomplished
to the great delight of the citizens, who forthwith
christened it the Faubourg of the Festival, a name
which it still bears.
At the close of these banquets, Wolsey, desirous
in his turn to display his magnificence, performed a
high and solemn mass in a sumptuous chapel which
he had caused to be constructed during the previous
night, and which was so richly covered, both within
and without, by tapestry, that the material of which
it was built could not be distinguished. The altar
blazed with light and gems ; the choristers of both
Courts assisted in the ceremony ; while the haughty
prelate himself stood upon the steps of the shrine,
clad in his pontifical robes, and surrounded by a
crowd of bishops, priests, and lay attendants. On
the right of the altar knelt the two monarchs, having
behind them the great nobles of their respective
nations, promiscuously grouped together ; and on
the left their royal consorts, attended by the prin-
cipal ladies of their several suites. When he had
362 : COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, xiv
himself communicated, Wolsey, followed by a train
of mitred bishops, bore the Eucharist with great
solemnity to the prostrate sovereigns ; after which
he advanced towards the sister- queens, who, before
they received it, embraced each other with tears.
To them it was at once a holy and a parting pledge ;
and surely there was no irreverence in the intrusion
of a feeling so pure and sinless even at such a
moment.
At the conclusion of the mass the treaty was
confirmed, and peace between England and France
proclaimed by the heralds of both nations. The
betrothal of the dauphin with the Princess Mary,
the daughter of Henry, was duly solemnized ;
several more days were spent in jousts and ban-
quets ; and, finally, on the 24th of June, the two
kings parted as publicly and formally as they had
met ; and while the English monarch advanced to
Guisnes, in order to proceed to Calais and Grave-
lines, where he had appointed to meet the emperor
after his interview with Francis, that sovereign
returned to France, with the full but erroneous
conviction that thenceforward Henry of England
was his firm ally for life.
CHAPTER XV
1520-21
The differences between England and Scotland submitted to the arbitration
of Wolsey and Louise de Savoie Wolsey is brought over to the cause of
the emperor Charles V. and Henry VIII. meet at Gravelines Charles
proceeds to Aix-la-Chapelle for his coronation Narrow escape of the
French king Charles convokes a diet at Worms Luther defends his
doctrines Is outlawed And protected by the Elector of Saxony
Francis is reluctant to commence the war Ingratitude of Charles V. to
Robert de la Mark La Mark returns to his allegiance, and defies the
emperor Policy of the Pope The Spaniards revolt Arrogance of
Charles V. The Navarrese solicit Henri D'Albret to claim his crown
Francis supplies him with troops Defence of the citadel of Pampeluna
Ignatius Loyola Surrender of Pampeluna to the French Imprudence
of the French general He enters Spain The Castilians rise against
him Lespare is defeated and made prisoner The emperor marches an
army against the Due de Gueldres The rival sovereigns appeal to
Henry VIII. The Due de Gueldres sues for a truce Francis fortifies
his frontiers Duplicity of the emperor The Comte de Nassau takes
Menzon A conference opened at Calais The Pope and Wolsey meet
at Bruges Bad faith of Leo X. Indignation of Francis against the
English king His self-reliance Bayard defends Mezieres Francis
encounters the enemy near Valenciennes, but suffers them to escape
The Comte de Nassau summons Bayard to surrender Spirited reply of
the good knight A ruse de guerre The imperialists raise the siege
The bottle of wine The recompense of Bayard Gratitude of the
citizens of Mezieres to the good knight Francis marches upon Picardy
Charles joins his army at Valenciennes Francis confers the command of
the vanguard upon the Due d'Alenjon Indignation of Bourbon
Francis returns to France, and disbands his army.
No public business of importance had after all
been transacted between the two sovereigns at the
gorgeous meeting of the Golden Camp, for the
preliminaries of the negotiation which was signed
at Ardres on the 6th of June in the previous year
364 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, x'
had already been arranged between the ministers
on either side ; and it was consequently only the
spacious pretext for an outlay which exhausted the
treasuries of both nations, and left the nobles
impoverished with debt. The betrothal of the
dauphin and the Princess Mary was, as we have
elsewhere stated, solemnized ; but this only added
another opportunity of display to those by which
it had been preceded. The engagement of France
to pay to England the sum of a million of crowns,
at a hundred thousand francs yearly, until the period
of the marriage, was ratified ; and the differences be-
tween England and Scotland were submitted to the
arbitration of Madame d'Angouleme and Wolsey.
Francis had, however, miscalculated the effect
which had been produced upon the mind of his
brother- monarch during the three weeks they had
passed together ; for he was not aware how craftily
Charles, even in the brief visit which he had
recently made to England, had worked upon the
mind of the cardinal -legate, alike through his
avarice and his ambition. Although considerably
the senior of Leo X. in years, Wolsey, accus-
tomed to see all things bend before his will, never
appeared to apprehend that he might be outlived
by that pontiff; and accordingly, aware that from
his position as Emperor of Germany Charles must
necessarily exercise considerable influence over the
petty princes throughout the empire, he lent a
greedy ear to his assurances that he would do all
in his power to secure his accession to the pope-
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 365
dom ; while, as a guarantee of his sincerity, Charles,
in addition to many rich presents, conferred upon
the prelate the two bishoprics of Badajoz and
Valencia, in Castile ; and, this done, informed him
of the uneasiness which he experienced at the prob-
able effects of the meeting at Ardres. Wolsey,
however, who well knew that Henry, in his love
of pleasure and display, would leave all important
measures in his own hands, soon succeeded in re-
lieving the mind of the emperor of this apprehen-
sion ; and, moreover, induced him to arrange a
second interview with Henry before the return of
the latter to England.
It was, consequently, in accordance with this
promise that Charles embarked at Cologne and
proceeded to Gravelines, accompanied by the Lady-
Regent of the Low Countries, Madame de Savoie,
where he made such hasty preparations for the
reception of his royal guest as were practicable,
and was joined on the loth of July by Henry
VIII. and a portion of his Court, among whom
the cardinal was prominent. Neither Madame de
Savoie nor himself spared care or flattery in order
to gain over both the legate and his royal master.
With the first they had, however, little difficulty,
for all Wolsey's dreams were now full of the triple
crown ; while Henry had so long accustomed him-
self to refer all state questions to his minister, that
he was soon induced to violate the pledges which
he had given to the unsuspicious Francis, and to
ally himself to the interests of the emperor. His
366 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
vanity was, moreover, flattered by the assurance
of Charles that he considered him to be entrusted
with the preservation of the peace of Europe, and
by his offer to accept him as his arbitrator in all
differences which might arise between himself and
the French king, as Francis had already done.
After having remained the guest of the emperor
and his aunt during several days, the English
monarch urged them to return with him to Calais,
and to pay a visit to Queen Katherine, who was
awaiting them there with her Court. The invita-
tion was accepted ; and while Madame de Savoie
used all her blandishments to secure the same in-
fluence over the mind of the English queen which
her imperial relative had effected over that of
Henry, Charles, even while he appeared to be
entirely engrossed by the festivities which were
taking place about him, was cautiously and un-
obtrusively maturing his plans and strengthen-
ing his interests. Before his departure, a grand
entertainment took place in his honour and that
of Madame de Savoie, at which the whole of the
two Courts were to be present ; and in order to
give all possible brilliancy to the festival, the king
had caused a spacious amphitheatre to be erected,
lined with blue velvet, and studded with stars of
silver ; while above the thrones destined for the
three sovereigns, and the fauteuil of the regent, a
sun of burnished gold blazed out in the lustre of
hundreds of tapers of pink wax, a moon of frosted
silver facing the dais upon which they were placed.
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 367
By a curious coincidence, however, the same
accident occurred to this building as to the ban-
queting -pavilion of Francis at Ardres ; for, just as
the preparations were concluded, and the guests
about to assemble, a violent tempest overthrew the
whole fabric, and rendered it of no avail. The
revellers consoled themselves as best they might
for this disappointment ; and after a few days more
had been consumed in covert business and open
pleasure, the sovereigns once more parted ; Henry
returning to England, and Charles proceeding
through Flanders and Brabant to Aix-la-Chapelle ;
where his coronation as King of the Romans and
Emperor of Germany took place on the 23d of
October, with a pomp exceeding any which had
before been witnessed upon such an occasion.
Francis, on removing his camp from the Field of
Cloth of Gold, had hastened to Amboise to inform
Madame d'Angouleme of the supposed success of his
expedition, and thence removed with his Court to
Romorantin to celebrate the remaining winter fes-
tivities ; when an accident befell him on the evening
of Twelfth Night (1521), which had nearly put an
end to his existence. Having ascertained that the
king- cake 1 had been cut at the house of the Comte
de St. Pol, and that the mimic sovereign had been
elected, Francis arranged with those about him that
1 It was the fashion in France to cause a bean to be concealed
in a large cake, which was divided and distributed among the
guests, the fortunate finder of the bean being declared king for the
evening, ceremoniously attended whithersoever he went, and his
commands implicitly obeyed.
368 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
they would despatch a formal defiance to the hotel
of the count, and declare their intention of doing
battle against the usuper. The message was re-
ceived in the same spirit of mirth that it had been
sent ; and as the snow lay deep upon the ground, the
besieged party lost no time in supplying their garri-
son with the means of repelling the attack. Im-
mense snowballs, eggs, and apples, were laid in
heaps after the fashion of ammunition ; and for a
time, the assailants being armed with the same
missiles, the sport went gaily on ; but, unfortunately,
before its close, as the king's followers, pursuing
a temporary advantage, were about to force the
door of the hotel, some individual within was ill-
advised enough to throw a burning brand which
he had snatched from the hearth through one of
the windows, which fell upon the head of Francis,
and inflicted a deep and serious wound.
For several days his life was in great danger,
and his surgeons found it necessary to remove the
whole of his hair, of which, from its extreme beauty
and luxuriance, he had been very vain ; but despite
this mortification he withstood all the remonstrances
of his mother, who was anxious to punish the
author of this misfortune, and would not permit his
identity to be ascertained ; declaring, with a gene-
rosity which did him honour, that the blow, heavy
as it was, had not only been inflicted in sport,
but that it was the mere effect of accident which
rendered him the sufferer ; and reminding her that
when a sovereign condescended to engage in the
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 369
pastimes of a child, like that child he must be con-
tent to pay the penalty of his folly.
From this period he never again suffered his hair
to grow, but wore it clipped close ; a fashion which was
immediately adopted by the whole of the courtiers.
Despite the increasing jealousy of Francis and
the emperor, neither the one nor the other was
as yet anxious to terminate the peace. Charles
in addition to the discontent which he had to en-
counter in Spain, where his subjects had declared
themselves resolved to support their political claims
was, moreover, called upon to contend against a
formidable fermentation in Germany, occasioned by
the rapid progress of the Lutheran doctrines. The
Pope had fulminated a bull of excommunication
against the bold and zealous reformer on the I5th
of June of the previous year, and a great portion
of his writings had been condemned as heretical.
Luther had retorted by publicly burning the papal
document ; while Charles himself had no sooner
assumed the silver crown than he had, in his turn,
convoked a diet of the empire at Worms, in order,
as he declared, " to occupy himself in suppressing
the progress of the new and dangerous opinions
which disturbed the peace of Germany, and
threatened to overthrow the religion of their
ancestors." But, notwithstanding this measure, it
is not the less certain that he sent an honourable
safe-conduct to Luther and invited him to Worms,
where he met with a cordial reception, not only
from the bulk of the people but also from many
VOL. i 24
370 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
of the greatest persons of the empire ; a proof
that his principles had already planted themselves
deeply in the public mind. He was even per-
mitted to declare and defend them before the diet,
which he did with a calmness and courage that
sufficiently demonstrated the righteousness of his
cause ; after which he was permitted to return
under the protection of the same herald -at -arms by
whom he had been conducted to the city, although
the diet saw fit after his departure to fulminate
against him a condemnation declaring him an out-
law, as being an excommunicated heretic, from the
consequences of which severity he was saved by the
Elector of Saxony, who caused him to be carried
off by a party of men in masks and conducted to
the fortress of Wartburg, where he remained in
safety for nine months, although his friends were
as ignorant of his retreat as his enemies.
Francis was not unaware of the difficulties with
which the new emperor had to contend ; and satis-
fied by what he had already seen, that should
he be enabled to adjust them he must inevitably
become a dangerous rival, he could not restrain his
desire to curtail his power ; but he was still un-
willing to be the first to declare an hostility which
must, as its first and inevitable consequence, sepa-
rate him for a time from the society of Madame de
Chateaubriand, and exhaust the resources which he
required to meet the more personal expenses neces-
sitated by the expensive pleasures in which he
loved to indulge ; and accordingly, instead of taking
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 371
high ground, and meeting his adversary in a
catholic spirit, he compromised with his pride by
subjecting him to petty annoyances which could
only ultimately tend to engender an European war-
fare.
Charles had doubly falsified his royal word, first
as regarded Navarre, where he had failed to redeem
the pledge almost voluntarily given ; and secondly
as to Naples, which kingdom he still held, without
evincing the slightest disposition to abandon any
portion of his tenure ; while M. de la Mark, Due
de Gueldres, the old and faithful ally of France, who
had been for a season diverted from his allegi-
ance, made loud and bitter complaints of the dis-
loyalty of the emperor in neglecting to fulfil his
promises, and at length entreated the support of
France in his attempt at self-defence. He con-
sidered himself deeply aggrieved, inasmuch as his
right to the Duchy of Bouillon, which he inherited
from an ancestor, had been disputed, and the Sieur
d' Emery had taken one of the cities by force of
arms without any remonstrance from Charles, who,
moreover, refused to interfere in his behalf further
than by promises which he afterwards neglected ;
even permitting the Chancellor of Brabant, who
had been bribed to that effect, to declare against
his claim ; whereupon De la Mark proceeded to
Sedan and demanded an audience, wherein he
declared that if justice was not done he would
abandon the cause of a sovereign who had so ill
repaid his services during his election.
372 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
The emperor, indignant at this threat, heightened
the misunderstanding by retorting that the Due
de Gueldres was at perfect liberty to act as he
saw fit, his adhesion being of small importance to
either party ; and Louise de Savoie was no sooner
informed of this outbreak than she wrote an auto-
graph letter to the discontented noble, inviting him
to return to his allegiance to Francis. The pro-
posal was at once accepted, to the great regret of
Madame de Savoie, the gouvernante, who esti-
mated at its real value the friendship of so brave
and zealous a noble, and who spared no exertions
to induce him to retract his resolution.
The duke was, however, firm ; his pride had
been wounded and his dignity compromised ; and
he accordingly presented himself at Romorantin,
where Francis was still confined by his wound,
and after expressing his regret for his momentary
defalcation, ultimately placed in his hands not only
his person but also his possessions ; entreating him
to afford him help, succour, and assistance to revenge
the grievous wrong which he had experienced from
the emperor ; a step which he had no sooner taken
than Charles, who became convinced of his error,
endeavoured to regain him by representing that
what had been done was effected without his
authority, and that all might yet be rectified. But
the concession came too late, the duke had suffered
more than he was ready to forgive, and was re-
solved to regain by force what he had lost by
fraud.
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 373
This was the last drop which caused the French
king's cup to overflow ; or, perhaps, it was the first
plausible pretext he could seize upon to justify a
commencement of those hostilities which he had
previously deferred. He consequently accepted the
renewed assurances of fealty proffered by the duke ;
and so soon as the latter had effected the recon-
ciliation, he sent an envoy to the emperor who
was then at Worms attending the diet which he
had invoked of all the princes and delegates from
the free towns of Germany to suppress the doc-
trines of Luther to defy him before the assembly ;
a proceeding which, instituted as it was by a sub-
ject, was treated with disdain alike by Charles and
his nobility.
Nevertheless the duke lost no time in following
up his demonstration ; and the Marquis de Fleu-
ranges, his elder son, in opposition to the express
commands of Francis, levied in France and the
neighbouring nations a force of four or five thou-
sand infantry, and between fourteen and fifteen
hundred mounted troops, and besieged Vireton, a
small town in Luxembourg, on the confines of Lor-
raine. He was subsequently, however, induced to
raise the siege and to disband his little army at
the request of Francis, to whom Henry VIII.
despatched an envoy, entreating him not to enter
into hostilities with the emperor, but to submit to
his arbitration any misunderstanding which might
have arisen.
The sovereign-pontiff was, meanwhile, less paci-
374 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
fically disposed than the sovereigns of Germany,
France, and England. He affected to smile at the
uneasiness evinced by Charles at the progress of
the religious schism, declaring that after all it was
a mere monkish quarrel, which might be easily and
effectually terminated ; and, anxious only for the
aggrandizement of the Holy See, he continued to
exert his utmost efforts to weaken the power of
the rival monarchs by turning them against each
other, although himself undecided for the time
whose interests he should adopt. His profuse ex-
penditure had compelled him to levy exorbitant
subsidies on all sides ; and his ultimate ambition
was either to reunite to the States of the Church
the provinces of Parma and Placenza, now held by
the French as a portion of the duchy of Milan, or
to obtain the cession of some part of the Neapolitan
kingdom from the Spaniards.
The crafty Pope was for the moment careless in
which measure he succeeded, but in order to secure
either the one or the other, he commenced a secret
negotiation with both monarchs, proposing to Charles
to enter into a league with him for driving the French
from Italy, on condition that the duchy of Milan
should be restored to Francisco Sforza, 1 and Parma,
Placenza, and Ferrara ceded to the Holy See ; and a
treaty to this effect was signed actually between the
contracting parties on the 8th of May, while at the
1 Francisco-Maria Sforza, the brother of Maximilian, Duke of
Milan, was restored to his possessions by Charles V., and died in
1535, without issue. At his death the emperor took possession of
the duchy of Milan, which passed to his own successors.
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 375
same time he suggested to Francis the expediency
of their conjointly attacking the Spaniards in the
kingdom of Naples, expelling them thence, and then
dividing the country by attaching all that portion of
Campania Felix which extended to the Garigliano
to the States of the Church, and securing the re-
mainder of the kingdom to the second son of Francis,
subject to the guardianship of an apostolical legate
until his majority. In this proposition he was equally
successful, and a second treaty was signed between
himself and the French king, M. de Lautrec per-
mitting six thousand Swiss troops in the pay of the
Pope to traverse the territories of the Milanese, on
the understanding that they were to be employed in
the execution of the said treaty. Although these
negotiations had been pursued with the greatest
secrecy, Lautrec, who had always been upon bad
terms with the Court of Rome, began ere long to
suspect the sincerity of the Pope, and induced Fran-
cis, to whom he communicated his misgivings, to
delay the ratification of the league.
Meanwhile the revolt in Spain spread far and
fast, and the emperor accused the French king of
secretly encouraging these intestine troubles by shel-
tering his enemies. He also reiterated his demand
for the restitution of the duchy of Burgundy, which
he affected to declare had descended to himself
through the Princess Mary, and had only been
usurped by Louis XL, claiming a sovereign right
over the province, and declaring that Francis held
no title there beyond that of his feudatory. While,
376 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
however, he put forward these pretensions he was
unable to maintain his authority in Spain ; tumult
and misrule existed on all sides ; the jealousy which
subsisted between his Flemish and his Spanish sub-
jects was daily aggravated by new outrages, and he
found his influence almost at an end throughout the
kingdom.
Under these circumstances Henri d'Albret, King
of Navarre, began once more to indulge the hope of
recovering his crown. The disaffected party in
Spain had applied to Francis to allow the young
sovereign to enter Navarre, assuring him that it
would prove an easy conquest, the cardinal-gover-
nor, Adrian, Bishop of Tortosa, 1 having withdrawn
all the troops from that province to the interior of
Spain. At the same time the Navarrese themselves
invited their legitimate monarch to vindicate his
rights, and to relieve them from the tyranny of an
usurper ; assuring him that if he would only appear
among them, " the very stones, mountains, and trees
would take up arms in his cause."
Thus Francis was, without any belligerent de-
monstration on his own part, suddenly furnished
with a plausible pretext for indulging his jealousy of
Charles ; but still, conscious of the immense respon-
sibility of taking the initiative in a war which might,
before its conclusion, convulse all Europe, he desired
1 Adrian, Bishop of Tortosa, was a Dutchman by birth, and was
subsequently Pope under the designation of Adrian VI. He suc-
ceeded Leo X. in 1522, and died in the following year. He had
been preceptor to Charles V., and shared the regency of Spain with
the Cardinal de Ximenes.
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 377
that the expedition should be undertaken in the name
of Henri d'Albret himself, and that he should not be
held personally responsible for its results. To these
terms the young king, eager to repossess his terri-
tories, gladly assented ; and an army, under the
command of Madame de Chateaubriand's second
brother, the Marquis de Lesparre, who as a relative
of the deposed sovereign was supposed to act only
in his name and by his authority, was speedily or-
ganized, in which M. de Guise, the brother of the
Due de Lorraine, took the command of the lans-
quenets. No time was lost in marching upon
Navarre, where the first efforts of the marquis
proved eminently successful ; and he proceeded
without any important check until he reached Pam-
peluna, where he was received with transport by the
citizens, but repulsed by the garrison of the citadel,
which, although the viceroy had considered it impos-
sible to march a sufficient force to its relief to ensure
its safety, held out during several days, through the
extraordinary courage of a young officer, who in this
moment of peril assumed the command and infused
new energy into the failing hearts of the soldiery.
Ignatius Loyola, whose name was destined to
become so famous as the founder of the Jesuits, was
at that period a military hero ; and it was only when
those over whom he had assumed the command
insisted upon a capitulation that he was reluctantly
obliged to yield ; but even then he could not be
brought to consent to a measure against which his
high and martial spirit revolted until he obtained the
378 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
consent of his companions that he should be present
when the terms of the capitulation were adjusted,
and he had no sooner found that they were so arbitrary
and severe as to involve the honour of his cause
than he abruptly terminated the conference, declar-
ing that he would rather be buried under the ruins
of the citadel than lend his countenance to such a
compromise.
Hostilities were consequently resumed by the
French, against which merely individual valour
could not contend, and during an assault which
he headed in person Loyola had one leg broken by
a cannon shot and the other crushed by a stone from
the walls. As he fell the hopes of his followers fell
with him ; they attempted no further resistance, and
Pampeluna surrendered, involving in its capture the
whole kingdom of Navarre.
Had Lesparre been as prudent as he was bold
he might have followed up his advantage and
secured his conquest ; but, eager to extend his
triumph, he was rash enough to enter Spain, upon
which the great nobles of Castile became alarmed,
and, urging the people to forego for a time their
intestine quarrels in order to expel the common
enemy, succeeded in organizing a powerful force,
with which they marched to Logrogno, already in a
state of siege through the headlong impetuosity of
Lesparre, attacked his army, weakened by the dis-
banding of a portion of its infantry, which an ill-
timed economy had induced him to dispense with,
under the impression that he should not encounter
OIL A
-
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 379
greater difficulties in Spain than those which he had
just so happily overcome in Navarre ; and, more-
over, rendered less efficient by a want of discipline
engendered by success.
The attack of the Spaniards, however, infuriated
by the dread of a new tyrant in the person of the
French king, who was even less bound to their
national interests than Charles, and the fact that
they came fresh into the field against a body of
harassed and toilworn men, soon caused the marquis
to repent his error. An engagement ensued which
terminated in the total rout of the French forces,
who were not only compelled to abandon the siege
of Pampeluna, but even to meet the enemy a second
time in the plain of Squiros, where their fate was
decided, and Lesparre himself about to be made
prisoner, when, resolved not to survive a disgrace
he had so little apprehended, he abandoned all
further authority over his bewildered army, and
spurred his horse into the very thickest of the
enemy's ranks in order to die upon the field. He
was not, however, fated to succeed even in this
melancholy attempt ; for although covered with
wounds, and with his casque beaten into his face
by a blow from a mace which deprived him of his
sight for ever, he was made captive by his enemies,
together with most of his principal officers, and thus
again he was condemned to feel that Navarre was lost.
Meanwhile, enraged by the insolence of the Due
de Gueldres, the emperor despatched the Comte de
Nassau to invade and devastate his territories ; a
380 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
command which was obeyed and executed with a
barbarity revolting to every principle of dignity and
humanity. Both the emperor and Francis at this
juncture appealed to Henry VIII., each declaring
the other to be the aggressor, and calling upon him
to assist in avenging their wrongs ; but the English
king, who was not sorry to see them thus mutually
undermining their strength without any exertion on
his own part, contented himself by entreating both
the one and the other not lightly to involve them-
selves in so serious a war, and to leave everything
to his mediation. As the two monarchs could hope
for no more efficient assistance, they agreed to this
proposition, and accordingly consented to open a
conference at Calais on the 4th of August, under
the presidency of Wolsey ; Francis only demanding
that the pontifical legates should be present, who
would, as he believed (unconscious as he was that
Leo X. had abandoned his interests), compel justice
for him should any necessity arise for their interven-
tion. The French king, moreover, enjoined the
Due de Gueldres to lay down his arms ; a command
which was obeyed not because Robert de la Mark
had forgotten the wrong which he had experienced
from Charles, but because he believed that all inten-
tion of hostility towards him had now been aban-
doned by the emperor. He, however, fearfully
deceived himself, for he had no sooner disbanded
a great portion of his army and rendered himself
defenceless than the Comte de Nassau pursued his
advantage with merciless ferocity, and he found him-
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 381
self compelled to sue for a truce, which was granted
because it served only to involve him in still greater
ruin ; for so soon as it expired Charles lost no time
in seizing the whole of his territories, and in march-
ing a division of his army to the French frontier.
Before this movement was effected, however,
Francis had felt the imperative necessity of placing
his kingdom in an efficient state of defence ; and,
after having strengthened the frontier of Burgundy,
had turned his attention to those of Champagne
and Picardy, which were totally unguarded. He con-
ferred the government of the former upon the Due
d'Alen^on, the husband of his sister, and that of
the latter upon the Due de Vendome ; and this
done, he commanded Admiral Bonnivet to lead
a new force into Navarre to avenge the insult
received by Lesparre ; and then he began assid-
uously to recruit and organize an army to resist
the reprisals of the emperor, which he was aware
must be the result of such a measure.
Meanwhile the Comte de Nassau had been
apprized of the approach of the Due d'Alen^on
with a force of twenty thousand men, while, having
passed the French frontier (despite all the assevera-
tions of his imperial master that he had no hostile
intentions towards France), he was laying siege to
the city of Mouzon ; yet, notwithstanding this
practical illustration of his insincerity, Charles, who
was then at Brussels, on learning that the French
had in their turn intruded on his own territories,
had the duplicity to exclaim :
382 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
" Thank God that it was not I who commenced
this war, and that it is the King of France who
seeks to aggrandize me ; for in a short time I will
be a pauper emperor, or he shall be a pauper mon-
arch."
M. de Nassau began his invasion under fortunate
auspices, for Mouson possessing neither provisions,
ammunition, nor garrison, was totally unable to
resist so formidable an enemy, its whole armed
force consisting only of a single company of infantry,
under the command of the Seigneur de Mont-
moreau, l who, hopeless as was the contest, declared
that he would die within the walls rather than sur-
render ; but finding that neither his troops nor the
citizens themselves would make an effort to save
the town, he was compelled to capitulate ; and after
having received a solemn pledge that the lives of all
should be spared, he suffered the gates to be opened
and delivered up the citadel.
During this time the Chancellor Duprat, the
Marechal de Chabannes, and Jean de Selve had
reached Calais, where they were to meet the ambas-
sadors of the emperor, in order, through the media-
tion of Wolsey, to effect, if possible, a reconciliation
between their two sovereigns. The cardinal was,
however, aware that Leo X. had abandoned the
cause of Francis for that of Charles ; and not con-
tent with furthering his own interests by consulting
those of the latter, he even so far laid aside all dis-
1 The Seigneur de Montmoreau was Master of the Horse in Brit-
tany, and Governor of Mouzon.
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 383
guise as to visit him at Bruges during the conference,
where he was received with the same state and
splendour as though he had been the sovereign of
England instead of its minister ; while he on his
part declared that all he required to ascertain was
which of the parties had been the original aggressor,
as Henry VIII. must, in conformity with the treaties
into which he had entered, declare against the first
who had disregarded them. M. de Chievres was
recently dead, and had in his last moments expressed
his regret at the renewal of hostilities ; but the im-
perial ministers, disregarding the league of Noyon
which he had negotiated, nevertheless advanced
claims which were so exorbitant that they amounted
to a declaration of war, and were at once repulsed
by the French envoys.
Charles was supported in these arrogant preten-
sions by a consciousness of the partiality of the
mediators, a bias in his favour of which he did not
fail to take advantage ; and thus once more he was
bold enough to require the restitution of the Duchy
of Burgundy, which, had it been conceded, would
have given him entrance into the heart of France,
and to demand to be freed from the homage which
his ancestors had done to the French sovereigns for
Flanders and Artois, and which, by the treaty of
Noyon, he had personally pledged himself to con-
tinue. Nothing overt was consequently accom-
plished, but the crafty cardinal availed himself of the
opportunity to give a secret pledge to the emperor
that Henry should declare in his favour and assist
384 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
him during the course of the following year with a
force of forty thousand men. He, moreover, be-
trothed Charles to the Princess Mary, who, still
being the only child of Henry, began to be considered
as the probable heir to the crown, utterly regardless
of the fact that he had in person previously performed
the ceremony of affiance between her and the dauphin
of France at Ardres. Charles was dazzled by the
prospect of a new crown, and eagerly entered into
the arrangement, while Wolsey himself saw in it
another bond to knit more closely his own interests
and those of his imperial ally.
Francis was not deceived by the result of this
conference, but at once discovered that he had been
duped, and must prepare to defend himself against
other enemies than the emperor. Of the bad faith
of Henry and his minister he no longer entertained
a doubt, while his suspicion of the double-dealing of
the Pope increased from day to day. Nevertheless
the spirit of the king rose with the difficulties by
which he saw himself surrounded.
"All the European sovereigns conspire against
me," he said haughtily, "but I shall find means to
answer them. I care little either for the emperor or
for my cousin of England ; my frontier of Picardy is
fortified, and the Flemish are poor soldiers. As for
Italy, I will take charge of that ; while I pay the
Swiss they will fight for me, and I have sent to sum-
mon them here with their pikes."
Among the most important places which were
likely to be first attacked by the enemy was
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 385
Mezieres, which many of the king's advisers coun-
selled him to burn down, and by destroying the
environs to starve out the army of M. de Nassau,
whose supplies would thus be cut off. This measure
was justified, as they declared, by the impossibility
of introducing a sufficient garrison within the walls
before it was besieged, an event which the proximity
of the imperial troops rendered every hour probable.
Bayard, however, seeing that Francis hesitated to
sanction so extreme a measure, seized the fortunate
moment, and energetically discountenanced such a
proceeding.
" You are told that the place is too weak to resist,
Sire," he said boldly ; " no place is weak which is
defended by brave men. Let the old walls stand,
and permit me to assist in their defence."
"To yourself I will confide the city," replied
Francis, struck with the confidence of the good
knight ; " take with you whom you will, and strike
for the honour of France and the dignity of your
monarch."
Without losing another instant he then instructed
the Due d'Alenc.on to supply the little army of
Bayard with all that he might require, and
despatched M. de Lorge to provision and arm the
city, while the brave Pierre Terrail summoned
about him all his chosen comrades ; but as his name
ever acted like a spell upon the chivalry of France,
he soon found himself, moreover, surrounded by a
host of gallant men who were anxious to acquire
glory by fighting at his side. All pride of rank was
VOL. i 25
386 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
for the time forgotten by these noble volunteers,
and Bayard, with natural self-gratulation, welcomed
to his ranks some of the haughtiest blood through-
out the kingdom. Among the first who presented
themselves were the Seigneur de Montmoreau and
his lieutenant M. de Boncar, each with a thousand
lances, and both eager to avenge their defeat at
Mouzon. The flower of the nobility of Dauphiny
followed ; and even Anne de Montmorency, the
favourite of Francis, did not disdain to swell the
list of his subordinates. The city was no longer
defenceless ; its walls bristled with spears, and its
strength lay not so much in the glittering breast-
pieces which flashed in the sunlight as in the bold
hearts that beat beneath them.
While the garrison of M6zieres was thus assem-
bling, Francis who had been sojourning at Rheims,
where his army was daily reinforced by the arrival
both of horse and foot, including several strong
parties of Swiss mercenaries proceeded by Guise
into Cambresis, and on the 22d of October overtook
the forces of the Comte de Nassau between Cambray
and Valenciennes on their way to the latter city,
where the imperialist general was about to retire for
a time to rest and refresh the troops, who were
suffering greatly from fatigue. La Tremouille and
Chabannes were eager to attack the imperialists, and
strongly urged this measure upon the king, reminding
him that the enemy had still three leagues to travel
over the plain before they could shelter themselves
behind the walls of a fortress ; but Francis, by some
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 387
strange perversity, refused to listen to the suggestion
until the whole of his army should have crossed the
river, and the thick fog which then hung over them
be dispersed. It was in vain that they implored
him to recant his resolution ; he remained firm, and
M. de Nassau was consequently enabled to make
good his escape with his whole force.
It is certain, according to Du Bellay, that had
the king authorized the proposed attack he would
easily have defeated the retreating force, and thus
materially crippled the resources of the emperor, a
fact of which he became subsequently so conscious
that he was overwhelmed with grief, and during the
night most imprudently departed for Flanders,
attended by a hundred horse, thus abandoning the
rest of the army. " That day," says the same
chronicler, in a burst of patriotic grief, " God had
delivered our enemy into our hands, and we would
not accept the offering ; a refusal which has since
cost us dear."
Bayard was, meanwhile, less supine. He caused
all the inhabitants of Mezieres who could not be
rendered available in case of siege to retire beyond
the walls ; after which he demolished the drawbridge
and convoked an assembly of the sheriffs, whom he
compelled to make oath that they would never urge
a surrender, but defend the town even to the death.
" And if our provisions should fail us, gentlemen,"
he said gaily, " we will devour our horses and our
boots."
The calm confidence of the good knight inspired
388 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
the citizens with new courage, and they all swore to
perish rather than capitulate. He then turned his
attention to the walls, and busied himself in repairing
the old breaches, which had been suffered to remain
in a state of daily increasing dilapidation, not only
working himself, but even distributing among the
labourers the sum of six thousand crowns from his
own purse. He appeared to be ubiquitous, for
while one asserted that he saw him at the gate of
the town, another declared that he was upon the
rampart, while a third affirmed that he had passed
him in one of the streets of the city. He felt that
the preservation of the place had been entrusted to
him, and while he was indulgent to all under his
command he was inexorable towards himself.
Bayard, in fact, felt a conviction that not a
moment must be lost, and his prescience had not
deceived him. The city was shortly afterwards
invested, and while Seckingen at the head of fifteen
thousand men attacked it on one bank of the Meuse,
the Comte de Nassau with twenty thousand more
threatened it from the other.
Ere long, however, a herald -at -arms appeared
before the gates and summoned Bayard to surrender,
declaring that the place could not hold out against
the imperial forces, and that, in consideration of the
high and noble chivalry which was contained within
its walls, the imperial generals were reluctant to take
it by assault, and thus tarnish his personal honour
and that of his noble companions ; while they more-
over feared for the life of one like himself, who,
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 389
should he perish defeated, would by such a death
efface the memory of all his great and heroic deeds ;
while, on the contrary, they were willing to concede
to him such honourable terms as must tend to satisfy
his self-respect.
Bayard with some difficulty compelled himself to
hear this harangue to an end, after which he declared
that he was astounded by the great courtesy of the
besieging generals, of whom he himself knew noth-
ing ; and then, assuming a more haughty attitude,
he added: "Friend Herald, return to your camp
and tell your leaders that the king my sovereign
could have sent many more efficient persons than
myself to defend his city and his frontier ; but that
since he has seen fit to honour me with the trust, I
hope, by the help of God, to keep it for him for such
a length of time that your masters will be more
weary of maintaining the siege than I shall be of
defending my post. I am no longer a child to be
deluded by high-sounding phrases ; and therefore
say to them, moreover, that if I ever leave the city
which has been confided to me it shall be over a
bridge of their own bodies and those of their fol-
lowers."
This fearless answer to his summons exasperated
M. de Nassau, who immediately issued an order
for the attack. His artillery was pointed against
the walls upon two separate sides, but the fire was
steadily and unceasingly returned, when suddenly
the volunteers who had been brought to Mdzieres
by M. de Montmoreau, being inexperienced in
39 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
warfare, became panic - struck, wavered, and fled.
Some of the French soldiery endeavoured to rally
them, but Bayard instantly ordered that they should
be allowed to escape over the walls without molesta-
tion. " Let them go," he said calmly ; " we shall
be stronger without them ; for cravens such as
these are not Worthy to win glory by the side of
braver men."
Meanwhile the good knight became conscious
that the division of troops under Seckingen, having
secured a more elevated position, harassed his own
followers more than those upon the other bank, and
he resolved to have recourse to stratagem in order
to induce him to change his ground ; a measure
which he was the more anxious to adopt from the
fact that his provisions were rapidly decreasing,
and that his garrison was beginning to suffer from
sickness.
He had ascertained from one of his emissaries
that altercations had arisen in the enemy's camp,
where the Comte de Nassau and Seckingen were
contending against each other for the supreme com-
mand of the besieging army ; and in order to
aggravate this misunderstanding he addressed a
letter to the Due de Gueldres, in which he stated
that, aware of his regard for the Sire de Seckingen,
he had thought it advisable to inform him that if
his friend did not speedily shift his position he and
all his camp would be cut to pieces within four
and twenty hours, as a force of twelve thousand
Swiss and eight hundred horsemen would fall upon
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 391
him at dawn ; while he should himself make a sally
from the town, by whiqh means he would be en-
closed, and could have no hope of escape ; adding,
moreover, that as the duke had assured him some
months back that M. de Seckingen might be in-
duced to join the cause of France, he should be
glad to see so desirable a meastfre accomplished,
and to welcome so brave a soldier to the banner of
the lilies. This done, he committed the letter to
the care of a peasant, to whom he gave a crown,
desiring him to carry it forthwith to Messire Robert
de la Mark at Sedan, and to tell him that it was
sent by Captain Bayard.
As a natural consequence the letter fell into the
hands of one of Seckingen's followers, who forth-
with conveyed the messenger to the tent of his
general, when the partizan, believing that the
Comte de Nassau meant to sacrifice him, imme-
diately struck his tents and abandoned the advan-
tageous position which he had hitherto occupied.
This movement could not be effected without
attracting the attention of the count, who instantly
despatched a messenger to represent to Seckin-
gen the probable effect of such a proceeding,
endangering as it did the total failure of their
operations ; but he received only a haughty answer.
"Tell M. de Nassau," was the reply, "that I shall
act as I see fit, having no inclination to remain and be
butchered for his pleasure ; but that I shall take up
my quarters beside his own, and we shall see after
we have met who will remain master of the field."
392 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
The count, who after this message of defiance
felt persuaded that his late comrade Seckingen was
in fact passing the Meuse with the intention of
attacking him, drew out his troops in order of
battle ; an attitude which was immediately imitated
by the irritated Seckingen, and an engagement was
about to ensue, when the assembled officers on
both sides interfered, and prevented the collision.
Nevertheless the two generals continued implac-
able ; they haughtily refused to condescend to any
explanation ; mutually distrustful, each looked upon
the other as a covert enemy, and on the following
day they separately raised the siege.
During an entire week the officers of Charles
found it impossible to reconcile the two adversaries,
but at length they were induced to forego their
quarrel ; upon which Seckingen entered Picardy,
burning and devastating all that he encountered
on his way until he reached Guise, where he halted,
while M. de Nassau on his side shaped his course
northward, carrying terror wherever he encamped,
putting to death such of his soldiers as had served
under his rival, betraying his suspicion of every
one about him, and committing a thousand acts
of idle and undiscriminating cruelty. His army
resembled a beleaguered city ; a secret police was
organized, and his spies invaded even the tents
and private correspondence of his officers ; execu-
tions were of daily occurrence, and a spirit of terror
and consternation pervaded the whole of the troops.
The sword of Damocles hung suspended above the
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 393
camp, and none knew upon whose head it would
next fall.
During this panic Bayard had made a sortie
which proved highly successful, as it increased the
confusion in the ranks of M. de Nassau, while at
the same time it afforded an opportunity for a
powerful reinforcement to be introduced into the
beleaguered city, and the approach of M. d'Alengon
to within three leagues of the gates. Nevertheless
the imperial general, reluctant to abandon an enter-
prise in which he had flattered himself with success,
was unwilling to raise a siege until he could by
some method convince himself that the garrison
were no longer in danger of famine ; upon which
a veteran captain, an old companion in arms of
Bayard, who had spent his whole life in the service
of the French in Italy, but who had now been
gained over to the cause of the emperor, volun-
teered to despatch a trumpet to the fortress to
request a bottle of wine from the commandant for
the sake of their ancient friendship.
" Tell the good knight," he said to the messenger,
as he was preparing to set forth, ''that it is for
Captain Gros-Jean of Picardy, who will drink
health and long life to him in his own wine, whether
it be old or new."
To this application Bayard replied by sending
two bottles, one of each description named, which
he caused the envoy himself to fetch from the cellar,
where he showed him huge casks all filled ; desiring
him to assure his master that he was welcome to
394 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
repeat the pledge whenever he needed to do so,
as the garrison of Mezieres had enough and to
spare during the time that the siege was likely to
hold out.
The envoy returned, and, by reporting what he
had seen and heard, fully convinced M. de Nassau
that the city was as impregnable as ever ; little
suspecting that the barrels in the fortress cellar were
merely water- casks, and that the wine so freely
given had been part of the lading of three waggons
which the French had only the previous evening
succeeded in introducing within the gates.
In consequence of this conviction he at once
struck his tents, leaving Bayard master of the city
after a resistance of three weeks ; during which
time, although no battle had been fought, the good
knight had, nevertheless, evinced so much courage
and military science, and had caused so great a loss
among the imperial troops, that Francis at once
felt he could no longer leave such eminent merit
unrecompensed, and forthwith conferred on him the
collar of the order of Philip Augustus, and gave
him the command of a hundred men-at-arms ; a
prerogative hitherto monopolised by individuals of
princely rank.
When the imperial troops had withdrawn,
Bayard, who had no further occupation within the
walls whence he had driven his assailants, prepared
for his return to the royal camp, amid the shouts
and benedictions of the citizens whom he had saved
from plunder and outrage ; the people crowded
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 395
about him, the bells of the churches and convents
rang out a joyous peal, and thenceforward the
whole population of Mezieres religiously observed
with prayer and festivity the anniversary of their
deliverance.
The letter in which Francis announced to his
mother the relief of Mezieres was even more incon-
sequent than a former one to which we have already
made allusion ; while not content with expressing
himself in terms wholly inconsistent with his kingly
dignity, he even so far forgot his respect for sacred
things as to entreat his mother to cause thanks-
givings to be offered up to the Almighty, with the
irreverent addition, "car sans poynt de fote, il a
montrd ce coup quyl est bon Francois" After so
blasphemous and presumptuous an expression as
this, our wonder ceases that there should have
been a blight upon his arms !
The siege of Mezieres once happily terminated,
the French king proceeded in pursuit of the im-
perial troops, who, baffled in Champagne, were
ravaging Picardy, and spreading terror in every
direction. The fortresses which they had destroyed
on the frontier of the former province were hastily
repaired ; and while the Due d'Alengon retook
Mouzon, the Due de Vendome effected an entrance
into both Artois and Hanault, repaying with usury
upon the enemy the enormities of which they had
been guilty on the French territories.
Having made himself master of Bapaume and
Landrecies, to the latter of which the imperialists
396 THE COURT AND REIGN OF CHAP, xv
set fire previous to their retreat, M. d'Alen^on
found his task accomplished ; while on the Spanish
frontier, Bonnivet, towards the close of September,
possessed himself of several fortresses in Biscay,
and, ultimately, of Fontarabia.
During these proceedings the emperor had
joined his retreating army near Valenciennes,
having with him a strong body of troops ; and
Francis no sooner ascertained that he was present
in person than he became eager to attack him. In
furtherance of this design he threw a bridge across
the Scheldt* and the Comte de Nassau, who had
advanced to reconnoitre, was only enabled to escape
with his followers through the aid of a dense fog,
which had rendered his approach invisible. Bour-
bon, La Palice, and Tremouille vehemently urged
the king to an immediate onslaught, and had their
advice been followed, the army of Charles must
have been destroyed ; but once more the evil star
of Francis prevailed, and he suffered himself to be
influenced by the counsels of the Marechal de
Chatillon, who urged caution, and thus suffered the
favourable moment to escape.
Nor was this his only imprudence ; for, still
strongly prejudiced by his mother against Bour-
bon, he conferred the command of the vanguard,
a distinction claimed by the duke as Connetable de
France, upon M. d'Alengon. The effect of this
affront upon a man of so fiery a temperament as
Bourbon, and who was moreover jealous of his
honour, was terrible. For a moment he remained
1520-21 FRANCIS THE FIRST 397
stupefied by surprise, and then, recovering his self-
possession, he refused to believe that the messenger
had not mistaken the meaning of the king. " I am
Connetable de France," he said haughtily, "and
by virtue of that dignity I have a right to lead her
army to the field. What will be the opinion of
the troops when they learn that my privilege has
been invaded, and my authority transferred to a
general without experience, and a soldier who has
yet even a name to win ? "
" The whole army resents the insult which is thus
offered to you," said M. de Pomperant, his ancient
governor, "and is convinced to a man that it is
not the spontaneous act of the king himself."
"Who then is my enemy ? " he asked fiercely.
" One upon whom you cannot revenge yourself
Madame d'Angouleme."
" Ah ! is it so ? " exclaimed the duke. " But no
the thing is impossible. She has always professed
herself my friend, why then should she thus assail
my honour ? Perhaps she covets the sword of con-
netable for her minion Bonnivet. It would be well
bestowed upon an upstart whose ancestors were
honoured when they acted as equerries to mine !
Let the king beware, however, how he seconds such
a project."
" Duke," said M. de Pomperant firmly, " no
subject has a right to threaten his sovereign."
" I shall not revenge myself by words," retorted
Bourbon gloomily ; " let the nerveless husband of
Marguerite de France lead the troops of her brother
398 COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS I CHAP, xv
to battle. The future is still before me, and I shall
know how to use it."
Meanwhile Charles V. had been compelled, as
we have shown, to retreat once more to Valen-
ciennes ; the hopes of the allied sovereigns had
been falsified, and they had gained nothing by the
blood spilt and the desolation created by their arms
save a few provinces which they were not destined
long to retain.
The flag of France once more waved above her
fortresses ; and Francis, having conducted his army
to Amiens, where he disbanded a great portion
of the troops, entered his capital at the head of the
remaining force amid a tumult of joyous welcome.
END OF VOL. I
Printed by R. & R. CI.ARK, Edinburgh
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